[Footnote 1116: _Journal du siege_, pp. 209 _et seq._] On that day there were grand and solemn processions and a good friar[1117] preached. Clerks, nobles, captains, magistrates, men-at-arms and citizens devoutly went to church and the people cried: "Noel!"[1118] [Footnote 1117: _Ibid._, p. 216. _Chronique de la fete_, in _Trial_, vol. v, p. 295.] [Footnote 1118: _Trial_, vol. iii, p. 110. _Journal du siege_, p. 92.] Thus, on the 8th of May, in the morning, was the town of Orleans delivered, two hundred and nine days after the siege had been laid and nine days after the coming of the Maid. CHAPTER XIV THE MAID AT TOURS AND AT SELLES-EN-BERRY--THE TREATISES OF JACQUES GELU AND OF JEAN GERSON. On the morning of Sunday the 8th of May, the English departed, retreating towards Meung and Beaugency. In the afternoon of the same day, Messire Florent d'Illiers with his men-at-arms left the town and went straight to his captaincy of Chateaudun to defend it against the _Godons_ who had a garrison at Marchenoir and were about to descend on Le Dunois. On the next day the other captains from La Beauce and Gatinais returned to their towns and strongholds.[1119] [Footnote 1119: _Journal du siege_, p. 91. G. Met-Gaubert, _Notice sur Florent d'Illiers_, Chartres, 1864, in 8vo.] On the ninth of the same month, the combatants brought by the Sire de Rais, receiving neither pay nor entertainment, went off each man on his own account; and the Maid did not stay longer.[1120] After having taken part in the procession by which the townsfolk rendered thanks to God, she took her leave of those to whom she had come in the hour of distress and affliction and whom she now quitted in the hour of deliverance and rejoicing. They wept with joy and with gratitude and offered themselves to her for her to do with them and their goods whatever she would. And she thanked them kindly.[1121] [Footnote 1120: _Chronique de la Pucelle_, p. 298.] [Footnote 1121: _Journal du siege_, pp. 91, 92. Jean Chartier, _Chronique_, vol. i, p. 71.] From Chinon the King caused to be sent to the inhabitants of the towns in his dominion and notably to those of La Rochelle and Narbonne, a letter written at three sittings, between the evening of the 9th of May and the morning of the 10th, as the tidings from Orleans were coming in. In this letter he announced the capture of the forts of Saint-Loup, Les Augustins and Les Tourelles and called upon the townsfolk to praise God and do honour to the great feats accomplished there, especially by the Maid, who "had always been present when these deeds were done."[1122] Thus did the royal power describe Jeanne's share in the victory. It was in no wise a captain's share; she held no command of any kind. But, sent by God, at least so it might be believed, her presence was a help and a consolation.