CHAP. II. Her introduction to Charles; HISTORY OF ENGLAND. the insolence of the English, the oppression of her countrymen, and the wrongs of the native sovereign. These subjects had taken strong hold of her mind: her imagination insensibly became excited the enthusiast persuaded herself that her country might yet be saved by the arm of a woman: at last she fancied that the saints Margaret and Catharine had actually commissioned her, in the name of the Almighty, to take upon herself the glorious enterprize. With this conviction she applied to Baudricourt, the governor of Vaucouleur, and was by him forwarded to Chinon, the residence of Charles. To most of the courtiers her arrival afforded a subject of mirth and ridicule. The council was divided. The credulity of a few indulged a hope that there might be something supernatural in so extraordinary an event; the prudence of the others foresaw that much advantage might be derived from the delusion of the girl, and the superstition of the people. After a short delay they introduced her to the presence of her sovereign. She betrayed no signs of timidity but addressing him with the air of a prophetess, "Gentle dauphin," said she, "I am "Joan the maid. My commission is from heaven, to drive your enemies from Orleans, "and to conduct you to Rheims. There, if you "accept of my services, you shall receive that "which is your right, the crown of France." Charles thanked her for her zeal, but abstained II. from delivering any opinion on the reality of CHAP. her mission. A thousand stories, however, were circulated to nourish the public curiosity. Though she had never before seen the king, it was said that she had immediately pointed him out among his courtiers: that she had revealed to him secrets, which naturally could be known to no person besides himself: and that she had demanded, and accurately described, a sword deposited in the church of St. Catharine of Fierbois, the very existence of which had for many years been forgotten. In aid of these reports a commission of divines and lawyers sate at Poitiers, repeatedly examined her depositions, and unanimously decided in favour of her claim to inspiration. Every doubt was now silenced; a ray of hope shot athwart the gloom, which had so long enveloped the French throne; and men consented to believe that, which it was so much their interest should be true. army. When the public mind had thus been pre- and to the pared, Charles deemed it time to acknowledge her in her supernatural character. In one respect her former employment had fitted her for her present situation. She could mount and direct a horse with ease and address. On a beautiful grey charger, and armed at all points like a knight, she rode forth in the view, and amidst the shouts of an immense multitude. Before her was borne a banner, in which for her device was painted, amidst a profusion of fleurs II. CHAP. de lys, the Almighty under the figure of a venerable old man bearing the globe in his hand. To the spectators her manner appeared more than human the enthusiasm ran through all ranks of men: the air was rent with acclamations; and thousands demanded to fight under her guidance. She herself was eager to meet the enemy but Charles restrained her impetuosity; and coolly watched the effect of her pretensions on the English as well as on his own subjects. She enters : All these particulars with due exaggeration had been conveyed to the besieging army before Orleans and at first the tale was received with derision as an impotent artifice to raise the spirits of a desponding people. But it soon began to affect the imaginations of the more credulous. Insensibly the alarm communicated itself to their neighbours: and at last the stoutest heart shrunk from the idea of encountering a celestial, though female champion. It was in vain that the earl of Suffolk and his officers exerted themselves to check this dangerous feeling. If she was called an impostor, an appeal was made to the wonders ascribed to her by common report. If she was represented as a sorceress, the soldiers replied that they feared not any mortal like themselves, but were not a match for the spirits of darkness. Sixty bastiles, raised in a circle round Orleans, had effectually prohibited the introduction HENRY VI. II. of provisions: and the garrison informed Charles CHAP. that without a speedy and plentiful supply famine would compel them to surrender. A convoy for their relief was provided at Blois under the protection of seven thousand men. The maid (so for distinction she was now called) obtained leave to join the expedition. She was received at Blois as an envoy from heaven, and immediately began the exercise of her supernatural authority. She ordered the soldiers to prepare themselves for the combat by acts of devotion; expelled all women of loose character from the army; and sent a letter to the earl of Suffolk, commanding him under the penalty of the divine displeasure to retire from the walls of Orleans. That general had prepared a strong body of troops to intercept the convoy, on the road through La Beausse. Joan earnestly requested to attack this detachment: but La Hire, the French general, listened more to the dictates of prudence than the suggestions of his heavenly counsellor. Embarking the provisions in boats, he ordered them to be rowed up the Loire, while he marched along the bank for their protection. The maid, with her mysterious April 27. banner displayed before her, led the van the attention of the besiegers was distracted by a sortie in a different quarter; and the convoy, together with the heroine, entered the city almost without opposition. This exploit established the reputation of CHAP. Joan and the officers of the garrison resolved JI. several forts. to improve the enthusiasm which she had exDestroys cited, wisely affecting to follow, while in reality they dictated, the inspired advice of their champion. A week later a body of volunteers accompanied her to the attack of the strong bastile of St. Paul. It was carried by escalade, the garrison put to the sword, and the fort reduced to ashes. On the next day a second sortie was made, and was attended with a similar result. On the third she led her followers to the castle of the Tourelles at the head of the bridge. This fortification, which was vainly deemed impregnable, was defended by men selected from the whole army. The assault continued fourteen hours. Joan received a wound in the neck with an arrow but retiring a few paces, she extracted the weapon with her own hand, stanched the blood, and hastened back to her friends. Animated by her presence, they redoubled their efforts an entrance was forced: and the banner of the maid waved triumphant above the turrets of the castle. The siege is raised. May 8. The earl of Suffolk, disconcerted by so many losses, and warned by the desponding countenances of his soldiers, held a council of war in the night, and determined to abandon the siege. At dawn the English army was discovered at a small distance from the walls, drawn up in battle array, and braving the enemy to fight in the open field. field. After waiting for some hours, the |