A Heroine of France

nt to France in the hour of her direst need. This messenger had been tried and tested by a score of different methods already, and had in every case come forth from the

s was impossible, since she feared nought that was holy or good, but clave unto such, and was never so joyful and glad a

let himself be led by the counsels of those who had ever set themselves against the Maid and her mission; and to the shame of the Church be it spoken, the Archbishop of Rheims was one of those who most zealously sought t

nd advocate, De la Tremouille; for the latter only professed carnal wisdom and prudence, but t

assembled by her enemy, the Archbishop himself, to examine into her claims to

purity, her sweetness, and gentle reverence--stood before them, day after day, to answer subtle questions, face a casuistry which sought to entrap her into

pervert to their own uses afterwards. Yet we need not have feared; for the Maid's simplicity and perfectly fearless faith in her mission carried her triumphant through all; or

g why, since God had willed that France should be

weetly she looked at

and that the Dauphin shall give me them. The me

king what language her voices spoke. They say that a flash flew from he

uage than your

ove of God, having shown himself very sceptical of her voices and visio

better faith than

never failed, her faith never f

and God. They cannot hurt me. For this work was I born,

nity of displeasure, far removed from petulance or impatience.

ly into the faces of those who sat to judge her. "Send me to Orleans, with as small a band as you will.

and courage triumphed. The

ny or hinder her intentions to serve the King would b

ved by the growing feeling in the town and throughout the district. But the people crowded to see the Maid pass by, and all were ready to fall at her feet and worship her. In the evenings they visited

and how she had first heard these voices from Heaven, or seen wondrous visions of unspeakable glories; and how she had learnt, by slow degrees, that which her Lord had for h

finger, she might have been at the head of an armed band of citizens and soldiers, yea, and many gentle

ecreed that the Dauphin shall send me forth at the head of his armies, and with a troop of his soldiers; and he will do this ere long. Be not afraid. We must n

and Credo, yet could speak in such fashion to those who sought her. Was it wonder that the people believed in her? that

o speak in such high praise of the Maid, and to add that she was in the right in assuming the dress which she wore. For she had been sent to do man's work, and for this a man's garb was the only fitting one to wear. And this ruling was heard with great acclamation of satisfac

not willingly act unseemly in the eyes of good men and virtuous women; wherefore I am glad tha

after time, she was subjected. Nay, it was she who defended the proceedings when we attacked them, saying that it behoved men to act with care and caution in these great matte

d would have to rule the realm for Him, to go back to their own country, leaving peace behind them instead of war, and imploring them then to join with the King of France in a crusade against the Saracens. She speaks of herself as one who has power to drive them from the kingdom if they will not go in peace as adjured. Calling herself throughout "The M

nd was written for her by Sir Guy de Laval, thou

owing how fruitless such an injunction must be to the haughty victorious nation, who h

e hath done to me, and will show the things which must come to pass. I would so willingly spare all the blo

cution of those banners which were to be carried before her armies in battle, and lead them on to victory. And these same words, "Jhesus Maria," she decreed should appear upon each of the thre

rought with him his daughter, a fair girl, between whom and the Maid a great love speedily sprang up. These Polnoirs were the most skilful workers in e

er immediate attendants or squires to carry into battle; and for herself she had a little triangular banneret of white, with an image of the Crucified Christ upon it, and this she carried herself, and it was destined to be the rallying point of innumerable engagements, for

them on her way from Chinon to Orleans, and so bid them a kindly farewell. Perhaps I may here add that when the Dauphin, upon his coronation, insisted upon presenting the Maid with a sum o

nstead of lowly lodgings being allotted to the Maid and her train, the whole Tower of Coudray was set apart for the use of herself and her suite. The custodian De Belier and his wife had charge of her, and to her were now appointed a staff, of which the brave Jean d'Aulon was the chief, and to which Bertrand and Sir Guy de Laval and myself belonged, together with

gh she saw the courtiers fluttering about like butterflies, and noted how men, as well as women, decked themselves in choice stuffs and flashing jewels, she asked none of these things for herself; and when the Queen of Sicily, always her best and kindest friend, sent to her some clothing of her own designing--all white, and beautifully worked, some with silver, and s

the rainbow, and made you to blaze with jewels; but I would not have it The Virgin Maid, I told them, should be clad all

eamed of such. It is too fine, too costly

the leader of the King's armies. You have to do honour alike to a Heavenly and an earthly Mona

er head, and answere

uld seek to do honour to His Majesty. As for my Lord in the Heavens, I trow that He doth look beneath such matters of g

in the quest of chivalrous adventure. The whole Court was entranced by her beauty, her lofty dignity, her strange air of aloo

em that which she was resolved to do, whether they counselled it or no. At such moments she appeared gifted with a power impossible rightly to describe. Without setting herself up in haughtiness, she yet overbore all opposition by her serene composure a

is armour was of white metal, and richly inlaid with silver, so that when the sun glinted upon it, it shone with a dazzling white radiance, almost blinding to behold. The King, also, resolved to do his share, had ordered for her a light sword, with a blade of Toledo steel; but t

another sword which I must needs carry with me into battle; and I pray you g

his jewelled weapon good enough? You will find its tempe

hurch of Fierbois, six leagues from hence, beneath the high altar, there lies a sword, and this sword must I use. Suffer me,

d you of this sw

It is in the church of St. Catherine; and suffer only my good knight, Jean de

of the early morn, the Maid had received some message, unheard by those beside her

that their church of St. Catherine should be honoured thus, and calling together some workmen, they made careful search, and sure enough, before we had dug deep, the spade struck and clinked against metal, and f

it to them, and lodged me in the town, where all the people

ave sat up all the night, for every speck of rust had been cleansed away, and a velvet scabbard made or found for the wea

esence of the King. There was the Maid waiting also, calm and serene, and when she saw the thing which I carried in my hands, her face lig

e said?" questione

ew aught, was lying buried beneath the high

n ran through the assembly. But there

sked, and he could not meet