no force sufficient to meet the enemy in the field, left Beaugency and rode off with a small company to Janville to hasten the coming of Fastolf. As the French marched into the town the men hidden in the houses fell upon them, but with losses upon both sides were driven into the castle. Jeanne placed the guns, and battered the castle until evening, when news came that was disturbing; for the Constable of France was advancing with a force of men and wished to join her.
The Comte de Richemont, Constable of France, was a great nobleman and a famous leader, but at the present time was in disgrace with the King and exiled from Court, largely through the machinations of La Trémouille and his party. He had wished to assist in raising the siege of Orléans, but the King had forbidden it, and consequently his approach caused both Alençon and Jeanne disquietude.
He was no friend of Jeanne’s, believing it to be a disgrace to France that her armies should be led and victories gained by a woman, probably a witch, a creature unworthy to stand before armed men. The Constable could hardly be blamed for holding this opinion of the Maid; excepting those who came in personal contact with her such belief was general. The captains and soldiers reverenced her, holding that she was truly sent of God; the simple people had no doubt of it. The English believed firmly that she was a witch. The Regent Bedford in his report to England concerning the failure of the siege of Orléans said that it was caused by “false enchantments and witchcraft of a Maid.”
Richemont was a sworn enemy to all such.
The French generals were divided over the advisability of receiving him. He was own uncle to Alençon, and the latter had no personal quarrel with him, but the
King’s command was that Richemont should not be received should he come with his force. Alençon, therefore, declared that he would withdraw should the Constable’s aid be accepted. It was an embarrassing moment. Jeanne herself did
not regard his coming with much pleasure, but it was not her way to reject any
champion of France. So, as just at this time news was received of the advance of the English under Talbot and Fastolf, she persuaded Alençon that they ought to
accept the proffered aid gladly.
“He is French, my gentle duke,” she said. “And Frenchmen ought to lay aside private quarrels for France. In God’s name, then let us welcome him.”
In the end this wise counsel prevailed, and both Jeanne and Duc Alençon rode forth to meet the Constable.
“Jeanne,” said Richemont, as the maiden alighted from her horse to greet him,
“they tell me that you are against me. I know not whether you come from God––
or elsewhere. If from God, I do not fear you, for He knows my good will; if from the Devil, I fear you still less.”
“Brave Constable,” returned the maiden, smiling, “you are not here by any will
of mine; but since you are here you are welcome.”
They then mounted and rode back to Beaugency. Immediately they were obliged
to make ready for battle, for Talbot and Fastolf had come up with their forces, and rested at a spot between Meung and Beaugency, distant about a league from
each town. The French army took up a strong position on a hill in front of Beaugency, covering the siege of the castle and the town. Night was coming on,
but the English formed in line of battle, and waited for the French to begin the attack. From their excellent position the French watched the enemy’s
preparations, but made no move to fight. Becoming impatient the English sent two heralds, saying that three English knights would fight any who would come
down into the plain. Jeanne declined the challenge.
“Go to your rest to-day,” she sent back word. “It is late enough. To-morrow, if it please God and Our Lady, we shall see you at closer quarters.”
Later, scouts reported to Jeanne and the French captains that the English were withdrawing from their position in the plain, and were headed northward.
“They are going to Meung,” cried the Maid joyfully. “They will occupy the town, and try to take the bridge, thinking to come down on the other side of the
river, and so relieve the garrison here at Beaugency in that way. But Beaugency will surrender as soon as it hears the news that Talbot has gone.”
Which proved to be the case. Matthew Gough, upon learning that the English army had retreated, felt that his case was hopeless. He had seen that Alençon was reinforced by the Constable, and believed that Talbot had left him to his fate. Therefore, at midnight he capitulated on easy terms. His men with their horses and armour, and goods to the value of a silver mark, were allowed to march away, on the condition that they were not to fight against the Dauphin for ten days; he himself was held as hostage.
At dawn the French were up and away to Meung, where they found that Talbot
had indeed been battering the bridge held by the French all night long, but the bridge held. On receipt of the news that Gough had surrendered Talbot and Fastolf with all the united forces of the English set off across the wooded plain of Beauce, as the country north of the Loire was called, for Paris.
The French were uncertain what to do. An encounter in the open field, an open
hand-to-hand battle between the French and the English, had heretofore resulted in victory for the English. Such a thing as the French holding their own and attaining victory over the enemy had never been known. They would rather avoid an engagement than risk such a disaster. To arrive at an understanding Alençon assembled the captains for a Council of war. He turned to Jeanne first.
“What shall be done now?” he asked.
“Have good spurs,” she told him.
“What?” he cried astonished. “Are we to turn our backs?”
“Nenni,” answered she, laughing. “The English will not defend themselves, and
you will need good spurs to follow them.”
There was a murmur at these words; a murmur of confidence for the prophecy put heart into men who had been wont to fly instead of pursue. Eagerly now they prepared to follow the retreating English. La Hire and Dunois with a company of eighty men, mounted on the best horses, rode in advance, and the main body of
the army came more slowly. Jeanne preferred going with the vanguard, but the
leaders feared that they might run into an ambush, and would not permit the risk.
Jeanne was angry over this. She liked the thick of the fight, and chafed at following, but it was well that she remained with the main body, for the men needed encouragement.
