A Popular History of France from the Earliest Times, Volume 3Guizot, François
History
A Popular History of France from the Earliest Times, Volume 3
Guizot, François
France -- History
interview with the Maid as follows: “The king had sent for her to come
and meet him at Selles-en-Berry. Some say that it was for my sake, in
order that I might see her. She gave right good cheer (a kind reception)
to my brother and myself; and after we had dismounted at Selles I went to
see her in her quarters. She ordered wine, and told me that she would
soon have me drinking some at Paris. It seems a thing divine to look on
her and listen to her. I saw her mount on horseback, armed all in white
armor, save her head, and with a little axe in her hand, on a great black
charger, which, at the door of her quarters, was very restive, and would
not let her mount. Then said she, ‘Lead him to the cross,’ which was in
front of the neighboring church, on the road. There she mounted him
without his moving, and as if he were tied up; and turning towards the
door of the church, which was very nigh at hand, she said, in quite a
womanly voice, ‘You, priests and church-men, make procession and prayers
to God.’ Then she resumed her road, saying, ‘Push forward, push
forward.’ She told me that three days before my arrival she had sent
you, dear grand-mother, a little golden ring, but that it was a very
small matter, and she would have liked to send you something better,
having regard to your estimation.”
It was amidst this burst of patriotism, and with all these valiant
comrades, that Joan recommenced the campaign on the 10th of June, 1429,
quite resolved to bring the king to Rheims. To complete the deliverance
of Orleans, an attack was begun upon the neighboring places, Jargeau,
Meung, and Beaugency. Before Jargeau, on the 12th of June, although it
was Sunday, Joan had the trumpets sounded for the assault. The Duke
d’Alencon thought it was too soon. “Ah!” said Joan, “be not doubtful; it
is the hour pleasing to God; work ye, and God will work.” And she added,
familiarly, “Art thou afeard, gentle duke? Knowest thou not that I have
promised thy wife to take thee back safe and sound?” The assault began;
and Joan soon had occasion to keep her promise. The Duke d’Alencon was
watching the assault from an exposed spot, and Joan remarked a piece
pointed at this spot. “Get you hence,” said she to the duke; “yonder is
a piece which will slay you.” The Duke moved, and a moment afterwards
Sire de Lude was killed at the self-same place by a shot from the said
piece. Jargeau was taken. Before Beaugency a serious incident took
place. The constable, De Richemont, came up with a force of twelve
hundred men. When he was crossing to Loudun, Charles VII., swayed as
ever by the jealous La Tremoille, had word sent to him to withdraw, and
that if he advanced he would be attacked. “What I am doing in the
matter,” said the constable, “is for the good of the king and the realm;
if anybody comes to attack me, we shall see.” When he had joined the
army before Beaugency, the Duke d’Alencon was much troubled. The king’s
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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