The Comic History of EnglandÀ Beckett, Gilbert Abbott
History
The Comic History of England
À Beckett, Gilbert Abbott
Great Britain -- History -- Humor
The circumstance was instantly turned against her, and the putting on of
male attire, which she had worn before, was declared to be a revival
of the old suit, to which she had been liable. Her re-appearance in the
soldier's dress was looked upon as a proof of uniform opposition to
the authorities; and her offence was described as "relapsed heresy," or
double guilt, like the "one cold caught on the top of t'other" by the
boy who had been suffering under several layers of those disagreeable
visitors. Judgment was now finally entered up against the ill-used Maid,
who, on the 30th of May, 1431, was brought in a cart to the market-place
and burned at Rouen.
We would gladly draw a veil over the fate of poor Joan; but we are
unwilling to spare those who were accessory to it, from the odium which
increases whenever the facts are repeated. Cardinal Beaufort and some of
the bishops who had been instrumental to the murder of the Maid, began
to whimper when the ceremony commenced, and to find it more than their
susceptible natures could bear to witness. They had ordered the atrocity
that was about to take place; but conscience had made them such arrant
cowards, that they had not the courage to witness the carrying out of
their own savage suggestions. If persons so hard-hearted as themselves
could feel so much affected by the sacrifice they had ordered, we may
imagine what opinion ought to be entertained of them for commanding an
act of atrocity which they dared not remain to contemplate.
The conduct of Charles in not interfering on Joan's behalf, is even more
cruel and despicable than that of her avowed enemies. The French
king finding the Maid of no further use, came practically to a free
translation of _Non eget arcu_ (there is no want of a Joan of Arc), and
left her to the fate that awaited her. It would have been nothing but
policy to have insured her life, which he might easily have done,
even when she was threatened with burning, and her case became doubly
hazardous.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account