[Footnote 686: _Trial_, vol. iii, p. 17.] [Footnote 687: _Ibid._, p. 66.] [Footnote 688: _Chronique de la Pucelle_, pp. 274 _et seq._ Jean Chartier, _Chronique_, p. 68.] Since she had been with the King, divers persons asked her whether there were not in her country a wood called "Le Bois-Chenu."[689] This question was put to her because a prophecy of Merlin concerning a maid who should come from "Le Bois-Chenu" was then in circulation. And folk were impressed by it; for in those days every one gave heed to prophecies and especially to those of Merlin the Magician.[690] [Footnote 689: _Trial_, vol. i, p. 68.] [Footnote 690: _Ibid._, vol. iii, pp. 133, 340. Thomassin, in _Trial_, vol. iv, p. 395. Walter Bower, in _Trial_, vol. iv, p. 489. Christine de Pisan, in _Trial_, vol. v, p. 12. La Borderie, _Les veritables propheties de Merlin, examen des poemes bretons attribues a ce barde_, in the _Revue de Bretagne_, 1883, vol. liii.] Begotten of a woman by the Devil, it was from him that Merlin derived his profound wisdom. To the science of numbers, which is the key to the future, he added a knowledge of physics, by means of which he worked his enchantments. Thus it was easy for him to transform rocks into giants. And yet he was conquered by a woman; the fairy Vivien enchanted the enchanter and kept him in a hawthorn bush under a spell. This is only one of many examples of the power of women. Famous doctors and illustrious masters held that Merlin had laid bare many future events and prophesied many things which had not yet happened. To such as were amazed that the son of the Devil should have received the gift of prophecy they replied that the Holy Ghost is able to reveal his secrets to whomsoever he pleases, for had he not caused the Sibyls to speak, and opened the mouth of Balaam's ass? Merlin had seen in a vision Sire Bertrand du Guesclin in the guise of a warrior bearing an eagle on his shield. This was remembered after the Constable had wrought his great deeds.[691]