THE TAKING OF LES TOURELLES AND THE DELIVERANCE OF ORLEANS
On the morrow, Friday the 6th of May, the Maid rose at daybreak. She
confessed to her chaplain and heard mass sung before the priests and
fighting men of her company.[1037] The zealous townsfolk were already
up and armed. Whether or no she had told them, the citizens, who were
strongly determined to cross the Loire and attack Les Tourelles
themselves, were pressing in crowds to the Burgundian Gate. They found
it shut. The Sire de Gaucourt was guarding it with men-at-arms. The
nobles had taken this precaution in case the citizens should discover
their enterprise and wish to take part in it. The gate was closed and
well defended. Bent on fighting and themselves recovering their
precious jewel, Les Tourelles, the citizens had recourse to her before
whom gates opened and walls fell; they sent for the Saint. She came,
frank and terrible. She went straight to the old Sire de Gaucourt,
and, refusing to listen to him, said: "You are a wicked man to try to
prevent these people from going out. But whether you will or no, they
will go and will do as well as they did the other day."[1038]
[Footnote 1037: _Trial_, vol. iii, p. 108 (Pasquerel's evidence).]
[Footnote 1038: _Ibid._, pp. 116, 117. Evidence of S. Charles. P.
Mantellier, _Histoire du siege_, p. 105.]
Excited by Jeanne's voice and encouraged by her presence, the
citizens, crying slaughter, threw themselves on Gaucourt and his
men-at-arms. When the old baron perceived that he could do nothing
with them, and that it was impossible to bring them to his way of
thinking, he himself joined them. He had the gates opened wide and
cried out to the townsfolk: "Come, I will be your captain."
And with the Lord of Villars and Sire d'Aulon he went out at the head
of the soldiers, who had been keeping the gate, and all the
train-bands of the town. At the foot of La Tour-Neuve, at the eastern
corner of the ramparts, there were boats at anchor. In them
l'Ile-aux-Toiles was reached, and thence on a bridge formed by two
boats they crossed over the narrow arm of the river which separates
l'Ile-aux-Toiles from the Sologne bank.[1039] Those who arrived first
entered the abandoned fort of Saint-Jean-le-Blanc, and, while waiting
for the others, amused themselves by demolishing it.[1040] Then, when
all had passed over, the townsfolk gayly marched against Les
Augustins. The bastion was situated in front of Les Tourelles, on the
ruins of the monastery; and the bastion would have to be taken before
the fortifications at the end of the bridge could be attacked. But the
enemy came out of their entrenchments and advanced within two
bow-shots of the French, upon whom from their bows and cross-bows they
let fly so thick a shower of arrows that the men of Orleans could not
stand against them. They gave way and fled to the bridge of boats:
then, afraid of being cast into the river, they crossed over to
l'Ile-aux-Toiles.[1041] The fighting men of the Sire de Gaucourt were
more accustomed to war. With the Lord of Villars, Sire d'Aulon, and a
valiant Spaniard, Don Alonzo de Partada, they took their stand on the
slope of Saint-Jean-le-Blanc and resisted the enemy. Although very few
in number, they were still holding out when, about three o'clock in
the afternoon, Captain La Hire and the Maid crossed the river with the
free-lances. Seeing the French hard put to it, and the English in
battle array, they mounted their horses, which they had brought over
with them, and holding their lances in rest spurred on against the
enemy. The townsfolk, taking heart, followed them and drove back the
English. But at the foot of the bastion they were again
repulsed.[1042] In great agitation the Maid galloped from the bastion
to the bank, and from the bank to the bastion, calling for the
knights; but the knights did not come. Their plans had been upset,
their order of battle reversed, and they needed time to collect
themselves. At last she saw floating over the island the banners of my
Lord the Bastard, the Marshal de Boussac, and the Lord de Rais. The
artillery came too, and Master Jean de Montesclere with his culverin
and his gunners, bringing all the engines needed for the assault. Four
thousand men assembled round Les Augustins. But much time had been
lost; they were only just beginning, and the sun was going down.[1043]
[Footnote 1039: _Journal du siege_, pp. 83, 84. Abbe Dubois, _Histoire
du siege_, p. 535. Jollois, _Histoire du siege_, p. 39.]
[Footnote 1040: _Chronique de la Pucelle_, p. 290.]
[Footnote 1041: Jean Chartier, _Chronique_, vol. i, p. 76. _Journal du
siege_, pp. 84, 85.]
[Footnote 1042: "_Et les rebouterent ils par maintes fois et
tresbucherent de hault en bas._" _Journal du siege_, p. 85.]
[Footnote 1043: _Trial_, vol. iii, pp. 214, 215 (Jean d'Aulon's
evidence).]
The Sire de Gaucourt's men were ranged behind, to cover the besiegers
in case the English from the bridge end should come to the aid of
their countrymen in Les Augustins. But a quarrel arose in de
Gaucourt's company. Some, like Sire d'Aulon and Don Alonzo, judged it
well to stay at their post. Others were ashamed to stand idle. Hence
haughty words and bravado. Finally Don Alonzo and a man-at-arms,
having challenged each other to see who would do the best, ran towards
the bastion hand in hand. At one single volley Maitre Jean's culverin
overthrew the palisade. Straightway the two champions forced their way
in.[1044]
[Footnote 1044: _Trial_, vol. iii, p. 215 (Jean d'Aulon's evidence).]
"Enter boldly!" cried the Maid.[1045] And she planted her standard on
the rampart. The Sire de Rais followed her closely.
[Footnote 1045: _Ibid._, p. 78 (evidence of Beaucroix). _Journal du
siege_, p. 86.]
The numbers of the French were increasing. They made a strong attack
on the bastion and soon took it by storm. Then one by one they had to
assault the buildings of the monastery in which the _Godons_ were
entrenched. In the end all the English were slain or taken, except a
few, who took refuge in Les Tourelles. In the huts the French found
many of their own men imprisoned. After bringing them out, they set
fire to the fort, and thus made known to the English their new
disaster.[1046] It is said to have been the Maid who ordered the fire
in order to put a stop to the pillage in which her men were
mercilessly engaging.[1047]
[Footnote 1046: _Chronique de la Pucelle_, p. 291. Jean Chartier,
_Chronique_, vol. i, p. 72. _Journal du siege_, pp. 84, 85. Of
doubtful authenticity.]
[Footnote 1047: _Chronique de la Pucelle_, p. 291.]
A great advantage had been won. But the French were slow to regain
confidence. When, in the darkness by the light of the fire, they
beheld for the first time close to them the bulwarks of Les Tourelles,
the men-at-arms were afraid. Certain said: "It would take us more than
a month to capture it."[1048]
[Footnote 1048: Perceval de Cagny, p. 146.]
The lords, captains, and men-at-arms went back to the town to pass a
quiet night. The archers and most of the townsfolk stayed at Le
Portereau. The Maid would have liked to stay too, so as to be sure of
beginning again on the morrow.[1049] But, seeing that the captains
were leaving their horses and their pages in the fields, she followed
them to Orleans.[1050] Wounded in the foot by a caltrop,[1051]
overcome with fatigue, she felt weak, and contrary to her custom she
broke her fast, although the day was Friday.[1052] According to
Brother Pasquerel, who in this matter is not very trustworthy, while
she was finishing her supper in her lodging, there came to her a noble
whose name is not mentioned and who addressed her thus: "The captains
have met in council.[1053] They recognise how few we were in
comparison with the English, and that it was by God's great favour
that we won the victory. Now that the town is plentifully supplied we
may well wait for help from the King. Wherefore, the council deems it
inexpedient for the men-at-arms to make a sally to-morrow."
[Footnote 1049: _Trial_, vol. iii, p. 79 (evidence of Beaucroix).]
[Footnote 1050: _Ibid._, p. 70. _Chronique de la fete_, p. 33.]
[Footnote 1051: _Chronique de la Pucelle_, p. 291.]
[Footnote 1052: _Trial_, vol. iii, p. 108.]
[Footnote 1053: The council is mentioned in _La chronique de la
Pucelle_, p. 292; but this document is a mere echo of Brother
Pasquerel's evidence.]
Jeanne replied: "You have been at your council; I have been at mine.
Now believe me the counsel of Messire shall be followed and shall hold
good, whereas your counsel shall come to nought." And turning to
Brother Pasquerel who was with her, she said: "To-morrow rise even
earlier than to-day, and do the best you can. Stay always at my side,
for to-morrow I shall have much ado--more than I have ever had, and
to-morrow blood shall flow from my body."[1054]
[Footnote 1054: _Trial_, vol. iii, pp. 108, 109. Brother Pasquerel,
whom I follow here, reports Jeanne's saying in the following terms:
_Exibit crastina die sanguis a corpore meo supra mammam._ I suspect
him of having added to the prophecy. He was too fond of miracles and
prophecies. On the 28th of April the Maid says that the wind will
change, and it changed. Brother Pasquerel is not satisfied with so
moderate a marvel. He relates that Jeanne raised the waters of the
Loire. We know on other authority that the Loire was high. It cannot
be denied that long before this Jeanne had foretold that she would be
wounded. This fact, stated in a letter from Lyon, dated the 22nd of
April, 1429, was recorded in a register of La Cour des Comptes of
Brabant. But she did not specify the day. _Dixit ... quod ipsa ante
Aureliam in conflictu telo vulnerabitur_ (_Trial_, vol. iv, p. 426).]
It was not true that the English outnumbered the French. On the
contrary they were far less numerous. There were scarce more than
three thousand men round Orleans. The succour from the King having
arrived, the captains could not have said that they were waiting for
it. True it is that they were hesitating to proceed forthwith to
attack Les Tourelles on the morrow; but that was because they feared
lest the English under Talbot should enter the deserted town during
the assault, since the townsfolk, refusing to march against
Saint-Laurent, had all gone to Le Portereau. The Maid's Council
troubled about none of these difficulties. No fears beset Saint
Catherine and Saint Margaret. To doubt is to fear; they never doubted.
Whatever may be said to the contrary, of military tactics and strategy
they knew nothing. They had not read the treatise of Vegetius, _De re
militari_. Had they read it the town would have been lost. Jeanne's
Vegetius was Saint Catherine.
During the night it was cried in the streets of the city that bread,
wine, ammunition and all things necessary must be taken to those who
had stayed behind at Le Portereau. There was a constant passing to and
fro of boats across the river. Men, women and children were carrying
supplies to the outposts.[1055]
[Footnote 1055: _Journal du siege_, p. 84.]
On the morrow, Saturday the 7th of May, Jeanne heard Brother Pasquerel
say mass and piously received the holy sacrament.[1056] Jacques
Boucher's house was beset with magistrates and notable citizens. After
a night of fatigue and anxiety, they had just heard tidings which
exasperated them. They had heard tell that the captains wanted to
defer the storming of Les Tourelles. With loud cries they appealed to
the Maid to help the townsfolk, sold, abandoned, and betrayed.[1057]
The truth was that my Lord the Bastard and the captains, having
observed during the night a great movement among the English on the
upper Loire, were confirmed in their fears that Talbot would attack
the walls near the Renard Gate while the French were occupied on the
left bank. At sunrise they had perceived that during the night the
English had demolished their outwork Saint Prive, south of
l'Ile-Charlemagne.[1058] That also caused them to believe firmly that
in the evening the English had concentrated in the Saint-Laurent camp
and the bastion, London. The townsfolk had long been irritated by the
delay of the King's men in raising the siege. And there is no doubt
that the captains were not so eager to bring it to an end as they
were.[1059] The captains lived by war, while the citizens died of
it,--that made all the difference. The magistrates besought the Maid
to complete without delay the deliverance she had already begun. They
said to her: "We have taken counsel and we entreat you to accomplish
the mission you have received from God and likewise from the King."
[Footnote 1056: _Trial_, vol. iii, p. 109. _Chronique de la Pucelle_,
p. 295.]
[Footnote 1057: _Chronique de la Pucelle_, p. 292. _Trial_, vol. iii,
p. 215. _Journal du siege_, pp. 84, 85.]
[Footnote 1058: _Chronique de la fete_, in _Trial_, vol. v, p. 293.]
[Footnote 1059: "_Par l'accord et consentement des bourgeois d'Orleans
mais contre l'opinion et volonte de tous les chefs et capitaines_,"
_Chronique de la Pucelle_, p. 292.]
"In God's name, I will," she said. And straightway she mounted her
horse, and uttering a very ancient phrase, she cried: "Let who loves
me follow me!"[1060]
[Footnote 1060: _Chronique de l'etablissement de la fete_, in _Trial_,
vol. v, p. 293. Le Roux de Lincy, _Proverbes_, vol. ii, p. 395.]
As she was leaving the treasurer's house a shad was brought her. She
said to her host, smiling, "In God's name! we will have it for supper.
I will bring you back a _Godon_ who shall eat his share." She added:
"This evening we shall return by the bridge."[1061] For the last
ninety-nine days it had been impossible. But happily her words proved
true.
[Footnote 1061: _Trial_, vol. iii, p. 124 (evidence of the woman P.
Milet). _Chronique de la Pucelle_, p. 292.]
The townsfolk had been too quick to take alarm. Notwithstanding their
fear of Talbot and the English of the Saint-Laurent camp, the nobles
crossed the Loire in the early morning, and at Le Portereau rejoined
their horses and pages who had passed the night there with the
archers and train-bands. They were all there, the Bastard, the Sire de
Gaucourt, and the lords of Rais, Graville, Guitry, Coarraze, Villars,
Illiers, Chailly, the Admiral de Culant, the captains La Hire, and
Poton.[1062] The Maid was with them. The magistrates sent them great
store of engines of war: hurdles, all kinds of arrows, hammers, axes,
lead, powder, culverins, cannon, and ladders.[1063] The attack began
early. What rendered it difficult was not the number of English
entrenched in the bulwark and lodged in the towers: there were barely
more than five hundred of them;[1064] true, they were commanded by
Lord Moleyns, and under him by Lord Poynings and Captain Glasdale, who
in France was called Glassidas, a man of humble birth, but the first
among the English for courage.[1065] The assailants, citizens,
men-at-arms and archers were ten times more numerous. That so many
combatants had been assembled was greatly to the credit of the French
nation; but so great an army of men could not be employed at once.
Knights were not much use against earthworks; and the townsfolk
although very zealous, were not very tenacious.[1066] Finally, the
Bastard, who was prudent and thoughtful, was afraid of Talbot.[1067]
Indeed if Talbot had known and if he had wanted he might have taken
the town while the French were trying to take Les Tourelles. War is
always a series of accidents, but on that day no attempt whatever was
made to carry out any concerted movement. This vast army was not an
irresistible force, since no one, not even the Bastard, knew how to
bring it into action. In those days the issue of a battle was in the
hands of a very few combatants. On the previous day everything had
been decided by two or three men.
[Footnote 1062: Berry, in _Trial_, vol. iv, pp. 43, 44.]
[Footnote 1063: _Chronique de la Pucelle_, p. 292. _Journal du siege_,
p. 284, _passim_.]
[Footnote 1064: _Journal du siege_, p. 87. Letter from Charles VII to
the people of Narbonne (10 May, 1429), in _Trial_, vol. v, pp. 101 _et
seq._ _Chronique de la fete_, in _Trial_, vol. v, p. 294. Jean
Chartier, _Chronique_, vol. i, p. 77. Morosini, vol. iii, p. 32, note
1.]
[Footnote 1065: Jarry, _Le compte de l'armee anglaise_, pp. 94, 95,
136, 206. Boucher de Molandon, _L'armee anglaise_, pp. 94 _et seq._]
[Footnote 1066: They were employed chiefly in carrying munitions of
war. _Chronique de la Pucelle_, p. 292.]
[Footnote 1067: _Trial_, vol. iii, p. 5.]
The French assembled before the entrenchments had the air of an
immense crowd of idlers looking on while a few men-at-arms attempted
an escalade. Notwithstanding the size of the army, for a long while
the assault resolved itself into a series of single combats. Twenty
times did the most zealous approach the rampart and twenty times they
were forced to retreat.[1068] There were some wounded and some slain,
but not many. The nobles, who had been making war all their lives,
were cautious, while the soldiers of fortune were careful of their
men. The townsfolk were novices in war.[1069] The Maid alone threw
herself into it with heart and soul. She was continually saying: "Be
of good cheer. Do not retreat. The fort will soon be yours."[1070]
[Footnote 1068: _Journal du siege_, p. 85. _Chronique de la Pucelle_,
p. 293. Jean Chartier, _Chronique_, vol. i, p. 77. Morosini, vol. iii,
pp. 31 _et seq._]
[Footnote 1069: Accounts of fortresses in _Journal du siege_, pp. 296,
300. Vergniaud-Romagnesi, _Notice historique sur le fort des
Tourelles_, Paris, in 8vo, 1832, p. 50.]
[Footnote 1070: _Chronique de la Pucelle_, p. 293.]
At noon everyone went away to dinner. Then about one o'clock they set
to work again.[1071] The Maid carried the first ladder. As she was
putting it up against the rampart, she was struck on the shoulder over
the right breast, by an arrow shot so straight that half a foot of the
shaft pierced her flesh.[1072] She knew that she was to be wounded;
she had foretold it to her King, adding that he must employ her all
the same. She had announced it to the people of Orleans and spoken of
it to her chaplain[1073] on the previous day; and certainly for the
last five days she had been doing her best to make the prophecy come
true.[1074] When the English saw that the arrow had pierced her flesh
they were greatly encouraged: they believed that if blood were drawn
from a witch all her power would vanish. It made the French very sad.
They carried her apart. Brother Pasquerel and Mugot, the page, were
with her. Being in pain, she was afraid and wept.[1075] As was usual
when combatants were wounded in battle, a group of soldiers surrounded
her; some wanted to charm her. It was a custom with men-at-arms to
attempt to close wounds by muttering paternosters over them. Spells
were cast by means of incantations and conjurations. Certain
paternosters had the power of stopping hemorrhage. Papers covered with
magic characters were also used. But it meant having recourse to the
power of devils and committing mortal sin. Jeanne did not wish to be
charmed.
[Footnote 1071: "Post prandium," says Brother Pasquerel (_Trial_, vol.
iii, p. 108). Cf. the evidence of Dunois (_Ibid._, p. 8).]
[Footnote 1072: _Trial_, vol. i, p. 79. Eberhard Windecke, p. 172.]
[Footnote 1073: _Trial_, vol. iii, p. 109.]
[Footnote 1074: _Chronique de la Pucelle_, p. 292. Clerk of _La
Chambre des Comptes_ of Brabant, in _Trial_, vol. iv, p. 426.]
[Footnote 1075: _Trial_, vol. iii, p. 109. _Chronique de la Pucelle_,
pp. 292, 293.]
"I would rather die," she said, "than do anything I knew to be sin or
contrary to God's will."
Again she said: "I know that I am to die. But I do not know when or
how, neither do I know the hour. If my wound may be healed without sin
then am I willing to be made whole."[1076]
[Footnote 1076: _Trial_, vol. iii, p. 109 (Pasquerel's evidence).]
Her armour was taken off. The wound was anointed with olive oil and
fat, and, when it was dressed, she confessed to Brother Pasquerel,
weeping and groaning. Soon she beheld coming to her her heavenly
counsellors, Saint Catherine and Saint Margaret. They wore crowns and
emitted a sweet fragrance. She was comforted.[1077] She resumed her
armour and returned to the attack.[1078]
[Footnote 1077: _Ibid._, vol. i, p. 79; vol. iii, p. 110.]
[Footnote 1078: _Chronique de la Pucelle_, p. 293.]
The sun was going down; and since morning the French had been wearing
themselves out in a vain attack upon the palisades of the bulwark. My
Lord the Bastard, seeing his men tired and night coming on, and afraid
doubtless of the English of the Saint-Laurent-des-Orgerils Camp,
resolved to lead the army back to Orleans. He had the retreat sounded.
The trumpet was already summoning the combatants to Le Portereau.[1079]
The Maid came to him and asked him to wait a little.
[Footnote 1079: _Trial_, vol. iii, p. 216 (Jean d'Aulon's evidence),
p. 25; (evidence of J. Luillier). _Chronique de la Pucelle_, p. 293.]
"In God's name!" she said, "you will enter very soon. Be not afraid
and the English shall have no more power over you."
According to some, she added: "Wherefore, rest a little; drink and
eat."[1080]
[Footnote 1080: _Trial_, vol. iii, p. 25. _Journal du siege_, pp. 85,
86. Eberhard Windecke, p. 173.]
While they were refreshing themselves, she asked for her horse and
mounted it. Then, leaving her standard with a man of her company, she
went alone up the hill into the vineyards, which it had been
impossible to till this April, but where the tiny spring leaves were
beginning to open. There, in the calm of evening, among the vine props
tied together in sheaves and the lines of low vines drinking in the
early warmth of the earth, she began to pray and listened for her
heavenly voices.[1081] Too often tumult and noise prevented her from
hearing what her angel and her saints had to say to her. She could
only understand them well in solitude or when the bells were tinkling
in the distance, and evening sounds soft and rhythmic were ascending
from field and meadow.[1082]
[Footnote 1081: _Trial_, vol. iii, p. 8 (evidence of Dunois). I
emphatically reject the facts alleged by Charles du Lys, concerning
Guy de Cailly, who is said to have accompanied Jeanne into the
vineyard and seen the angels coming down to her. Guy de Cailly's
patent of nobility is apocryphal. Charles du Lys, _Traite sommaire_,
pp. 50, 52.]
[Footnote 1082: _Trial_, vol. i, pp. 52, 62, 153, 480; vol. ii, pp.
420, 424.]
During her absence Sire d'Aulon, who could not give up the idea of
winning the day, devised one last expedient. He was the least of the
nobles in the army; but in the battles of those days every man was a
law unto himself. The Maid's standard was still waving in front of the
bulwark. The man who bore it was dropping with fatigue and had passed
it on to a soldier, surnamed the Basque, of the company of my Lord of
Villars.[1083] It occurred to Sire d'Aulon, as he looked upon this
standard blessed by priests and held to bring good luck, that if it
were borne in front, the fighting men, who loved it dearly, would
follow it and in order not to lose it would scale the bulwark. With
this idea he went to the Basque and said: "If I were to enter there
and go on foot up to the bulwark would you follow me?"
[Footnote 1083: _Ibid._, vol. iii, p. 216. The Count Couret, _Un
fragment inedit des anciens registres de la Prevote d'Orleans_,
Orleans, 1897, pp. 12, 20, 21, _passim_.]
The Basque promised that he would. Straightway Sire d'Aulon went down
into the ditch and protecting himself with his shield, which sheltered
him from the stones fired from the cannon, advanced towards the
rampart.[1084]
[Footnote 1084: _Trial_, vol. iii, p. 216.]
After a quarter of an hour, the Maid, having offered a short prayer,
returned to the men-at-arms and said to them: "The English are
exhausted. Bring up the ladders."[1085]
[Footnote 1085: _Journal du siege_, p. 86.]
It was true. They had so little powder that their last volley fired in
an insufficient charge carried no further than a stone thrown by
hand.[1086] Nothing but fragments of weapons remained to them. She
went towards the fort. But when she reached the ditch she suddenly
beheld the standard so dear to her, a thousand times dearer than her
sword, in the hands of a stranger. Thinking it was in danger, she
hastened to rescue it and came up with the Basque just as he was going
down into the ditch. There she seized her standard by the part known
as its tail, that is the end of the flag, and pulled at it with all
her might, crying:
"Ha! my standard, my standard!"
[Footnote 1086: _Chronique de la Pucelle_, p. 293.]
The Basque stood firm, not knowing who was pulling thus from above.
And the Maid would not let it go. The nobles and captains saw the
standard shake, took it for a sign and rallied. Meanwhile Sire d'Aulon
had reached the rampart. He imagined that the Basque was following
close behind. But, when he turned round he perceived that he had
stopped on the other side of the ditch, and he cried out to him: "Eh!
Basque, what did you promise me?"
At this cry the Basque pulled so hard that the Maid let go, and he
bore the standard to the rampart.[1087]
[Footnote 1087: _Trial_, vol. iii, pp. 216, 217.]
Jeanne understood and was satisfied. To those near her she said: "Look
and see when the flag of my standard touches the bulwark."
A knight replied: "Jeanne, the flag touches."
Then she cried: "All is yours. Enter."[1088]
[Footnote 1088: _Journal du siege_, p. 86. _Chronique de la Pucelle_,
p. 293.]
Straightway nobles and citizens, men-at-arms, archers, townsfolk threw
themselves wildly into the ditch and climbed up the palisades so
quickly and in such numbers that they looked like a flock of birds
descending on a hedge.[1089] And the French, who had now entered
within the fortifications, saw retreating before them, but with their
faces turned proudly towards the enemy, the Lords Moleyns and
Poynings, Sir Thomas Giffart, Baillie of Mantes, and Captain Glasdale,
who were covering the flight of their men to Les Tourelles.[1090] In
his hand Glasdale was holding the standard of Chandos, which, after
having waved over eighty years of victories, was now retreating before
the standard of a child.[1091] For the Maid was there, standing upon
the rampart. And the English, panic-stricken, wondered what kind of a
witch this could be whose powers did not depart with the flowing of
her blood, and who with charms healed her deep wounds. Meanwhile she
was looking at them kindly and sadly and crying out, her voice broken
with sobs:
"Glassidas! Glassidas! surrender, surrender to the King of Heaven.
Thou hast called me strumpet; but I have great pity on thy soul and on
the souls of thy men."[1092]
[Footnote 1089: _Chronique de la fete_, in the _Trial_, vol. v, p.
294.]
[Footnote 1090: _Journal du siege_, p. 87.]
[Footnote 1091: Letter from Charles VII to the inhabitants of
Narbonne, 10 May, 1429, in _Trial_, vol. v, p. 103. Monstrelet, in
_Trial_, vol. iv, p. 365.]
[Footnote 1092: _Trial_, vol. iii, p. 110 (Pasquerel's evidence).]
At the same time, from the walls of the town and the bulwark of La
Belle Croix cannon balls rained down upon Les Tourelles.[1093]
Montargis and Rifflart cast forth stones. Maitre Guillaume Duisy's new
cannon, from the Chesneau postern, hurled forth balls weighing one
hundred and twenty pounds.[1094] Les Tourelles were attacked from the
bridge side. Across the arch broken by the English a narrow footway
was thrown, and Messire Nicole de Giresme, a knight in holy orders,
was the first to pass over.[1095] Those who followed him set fire to
the palisade which blocked the approach to the fort on that side. Thus
the six hundred English, their strength and their weapons alike
exhausted, found themselves assailed both in front and in the rear. In
a crafty and terrible manner they were also attacked from beneath. The
people of Orleans had loaded a great barge with pitch, tow, faggots,
horse-bones, old shoes, resin, sulphur, ninety-eight pounds of olive
oil and such other materials as might easily take fire and smoke. They
had steered it under the wooden bridge, thrown by the enemy from Les
Tourelles to the bulwark: they had anchored the barge there and set
fire to its cargo. The fire from the barge had caught the bridge just
when the English were retreating. Through smoke and flames the six
hundred passed over the burning platform. At length it came to the
turn of William Glasdale, Lord Poynings and Lord Moleyns, who with
thirty or forty captains, were the last to leave the lost bulwark; but
when they set foot on the bridge, its beams, reduced to charcoal,
crumbled beneath them, and they all with the Chandos standard were
engulfed in the Loire.[1096]
[Footnote 1093: _Chronique de la Pucelle_, pp. 293, 294. Morosini,
vol. iii, p. 31.]
[Footnote 1094: _Journal du siege_, p. 17. Jollois, _Histoire du
siege_, p. 12.]
[Footnote 1095: _Journal du siege_, p. 87. _Chronique de la Pucelle_,
p. 294. _Chronique de la fete_, in _Trial_, vol. v, p. 294.]
[Footnote 1096: _Trial_, vol. iii, pp. 9, 25, 80. _Chronique de
l'etablissement de la fete_, in _Trial_, vol. v, p. 294. _Chronique de
la Pucelle_, p. 294. _Journal du siege_, pp. 87, 88. Jean Chartier,
_Chronique_, vol. i, p. 78. Perceval de Cagny, p. 145. Eberhard
Windecke, p. 173. Monstrelet, vol. iv, p. 321. Morosini, vol. iii, pp.
31 _et seq._]
Jeanne moved to pity wept over the soul of Glassidas and over the
souls of those drowned with him.[1097] The captains, who were with
her, likewise grieved over the death of these valiant men, reflecting
that they had done the French a great wrong by being drowned, for
their ransom would have brought great riches.[1098]
[Footnote 1097: _Trial_, vol. iii, p. 110 (Pasquerel's evidence).]
[Footnote 1098: _Journal du siege_, p. 87.]
Having escaped from the French on the bulwark, across the burning
planks the six hundred were set upon by the French on the bridge. Four
hundred were slain, the others taken. The day had cost the people of
Orleans a hundred men.[1099]
[Footnote 1099: The number of the English who defended Les Tourelles
is given in _Le journal du siege_ as 400 or 500; in Charles VII's
letter as 600; in _La relation de la fete du 8 mai_ as 800; in _La
chronique de la Pucelle_ as 500. It is impossible to fix exactly the
number of the French, but they were more than ten times as many as the
English.
The English losses, by Guillaume Girault, are said to have been 300
slain and taken; by Berry, 400 or 500 slain and taken; by Jean
Chartier, about 400 slain, the rest taken; by _La chronique de la
Pucelle_, 300 slain, 200 taken; by _Le journal du siege_, 400 or 500
slain besides a few taken. By Monstrelet, in the MSS., 600 or 800
slain or taken; in the printed editions, 1000; by Bower, 600 and more
slain.
The losses of the French are said by Perceval de Cagny to have been 16
to 20 slain; by Eberhard Windecke, 5 slain and a few wounded; by
Monstrelet, about 100. The Maid estimated that in the various
engagements at Orleans in which she took part "one hundred and even
more" of the French were wounded.]
When in the black darkness, along the fire-reddened banks of the
Loire, the last cries of the vanquished had died away, the French
captains, amazed at their victory, looked anxiously towards
Saint-Laurent-des Orgerils, for they were still afraid lest Sir John
Talbot should sally forth from his camp to avenge those whom he had
failed to succour. Throughout that long attack, which had lasted from
sunrise to sunset, Talbot, the Earl of Suffolk and the English of
Saint-Laurent had not left their entrenchments. Even when Les
Tourelles were taken the conquerors remained on the watch, still
expecting Talbot.[1100] But this Talbot, with whose name French
mothers frightened their children, did not budge. He had been greatly
feared that day, and he himself had feared lest,[1101] if he withdrew
any of his troops to succour Les Tourelles, the French would capture
his camp and his forts on the west.
[Footnote 1100: _Journal du siege_, p. 88.]
[Footnote 1101: Perceval de Cagny, p. 147. _Chronique de la Pucelle_,
p. 295.]
The army prepared to return to the town. In three hours, the bridge,
three arches of which had been broken, was rendered passable. Some
hours after darkness, the Maid entered the city by the bridge as she
had foretold.[1102] In like manner all her prophecies were fulfilled
when their fulfilment depended on her own courage and determination.
The captains accompanied her, followed by all the men-at-arms, the
archers, the citizens and the prisoners who were brought in two by
two. The bells of the city were ringing; the clergy and people sang
the Te Deum.[1103] After God and his Blessed Mother, they gave thanks
in all humility to Saint Aignan and Saint Euverte, who had been
bishops in their mortal lives and were now the heavenly patrons of the
city. The townsfolk believed that both before and during the siege
they had given the saints so much wax and had paraded their relics in
so many processions that they had deserved their powerful
intercession, and that thereby they had won the victory and been
delivered out of the enemy's hand. There was no doubt about the
intervention of the saints because at the time of assault on Les
Tourelles two bishops bright and shining had been seen in the sky,
hovering over the fort.[1104]
[Footnote 1102: _Journal du siege_, p. 88. _Chronique de la Pucelle_,
p. 295. Jean Chartier, _Chronique_, vol. i, p. 78.]
[Footnote 1103: _Chronique de l'etablissement de la fete_, in _Trial_,
vol. v, pp. 294 _et seq._]
[Footnote 1104: _Trial_, vol. iv, p. 163.]
Jeanne was brought back to Jacques Boucher's house, where a surgeon
again dressed the wound she had received above the breast. She took
four or five slices of bread soaked in wine and water, but neither ate
nor drank anything else.[1105]
[Footnote 1105: _Chronique de la Pucelle_, p. 295.]
On the morrow, Sunday, the 8th of May, being the Feast of the
Appearance of St. Michael, it was announced in Orleans, in the
morning, that the English issuing forth from those western bastions
which were all that remained to them, were ranging themselves before
the town moat in battle array and with standards flying. The folk of
Orleans, both the men-at-arms and the train-bands, greatly desired to
fall upon them. At daybreak Marshal de Boussac and a number of
captains went out and took up their positions over against the
enemy.[1106]
[Footnote 1106: _Journal du siege_, p. 89. _Chronique de la Pucelle_,
p. 296. Jean Chartier, _Chronique_, vol. i, pp. 78, 79. _Le
Jouvencel_, vol. i, p. 208. The passage beginning with the words, "The
Sire of Rocquencourt said," must be taken as historical.]
The Maid went out into the country with the priests. Being unable to
put on her cuirass because of the wound on her shoulder, she merely
wore one of those light coats-of-mail called _jaserans_.[1107]
[Footnote 1107: _Trial_, vol. iii, p. 9 (evidence of Dunois).]
The men-at-arms inquired of her: "To-day being the Sabbath, is it
wrong to fight?"
She replied: "You must hear mass."[1108]
[Footnote 1108: _Ibid._, p. 29 (evidence of J. de Champeaux).]
She did not think the enemy should be attacked.
"For the sake of the holy Sabbath do not give battle. Do not attack
the English, but if the English attack you, defend yourselves stoutly
and bravely, and be not afraid, for you will overcome them."[1109]
[Footnote 1109: _Journal du siege_, p. 89.]
In the country, at the foot of a cross, where four roads met, one of
those consecrated stones, square and flat, which priests carried with
them on their journeys, was placed upon a table. Very solemnly did the
officiating ecclesiastics sing hymns, responses and prayers; and at
this altar the Maid with all the priests and all the men-at-arms heard
mass.[1110]
[Footnote 1110: _Chronique de la Pucelle_, p. 296.]
After the _Deo gratias_ she recommended them to observe the movements
of the English. "Now look whether their faces or their backs be
towards you."
She was told that they had turned their backs and were going away.
Three times she had told them: "Depart from Orleans and your lives
shall be saved." Now she asked that they should be allowed to go
without more being required of them.
"It is not well pleasing to my Lord that they should be engaged
to-day," she said. "You will have them another time. Come, let us give
thanks to God."[1111]
[Footnote 1111: _Chronique de la Pucelle_, p. 296.]
The _Godons_ were going. During the night they had held a council of
war and resolved to depart.[1112] In order to put a bold front on
their retreat and to prevent its being cut off, they had faced the
folk of Orleans for an hour, now they marched off in good order.[1113]
Captain La Hire and Sire de Lore, curious as to which way they would
take and desiring to see whether they would leave anything behind
them, rode three or four miles in pursuit with a hundred or a hundred
and twenty horse. The English were retreating towards Meung.[1114]
[Footnote 1112: _Chronique de l'etablissement de la fete_, in _Trial_,
vol. v, pp. 294, 295. _Chronique de la Pucelle_, p. 296.]
[Footnote 1113: _Chronique de la Pucelle_, p. 296.]
[Footnote 1114: _Trial_, vol. iii, pp. 71, 97, 110. _Journal du
siege_, p. 89. _Chronique de la Pucelle_, p. 297. Morosini, vol. iii,
p. 34. Walter Bower, _Scotichronicon_, in _Trial_, vol. iv, pp. 478,
479. Eberhard Windecke, p. 177.]
A crowd of citizens, villeins and villagers rushed into the abandoned
forts. The _Godons_ had left their sick and their prisoners there. The
townsfolk discovered also ammunition and even victuals, which were
doubtless not very abundant and not very excellent. "But," says a
Burgundian, "they made good cheer out of them, for they cost them
little."[1115] Weapons, cannons and mortars were carried into the
town. The forts were demolished so that they might henceforth be
useless to the enemy.[1116]
[Footnote 1115: Charles VII's letter to the people of Narbonne, in the
_Trial_, vol. v, p. 101. Monstrelet, vol. iv, p. 323.]
[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.