The Maid of Orleans had announced that her mission was confined to
two objects,--the deliverance of Orleans and the consecration of the
king at Reims. After having gloriously fulfilled her first promise,
she employed the ascendancy she had acquired to execute the second.
Although the city of Reims, and all the country from Chinon, where the
king then resided, was in the power of the English, the French set
forward on their march, with an army of twelve thousand men. All the
cities in their route opened their gates to them, with the exception of
Troyes, which endeavoured to arrest their progress. A council of war
being called, Joan confidently assured them that, within three days,
the king should be received in Troyes.
[Illustration: JOAN OF ARC ADDRESSING THE KING.]
“Say seven days, Joan,” cried the archbishop of Reims, “say seven,
Joan; and we shall be right glad to see your prediction fulfilled.”
“Before three days are over,” exclaimed the Maid, “I tell you the king
will be master of Troyes.”
They prepared for the attack. Joan appeared before the ramparts,
advanced to the edge of the fosses, planted her banner, and called
aloud for fascines to fill them up. Terror instantly seized the
besieged; they believed their city taken, although there was yet no
breach. They capitulated; and Charles entered triumphantly into that
city where, eight years before, his ruin had been contemplated by
excluding him from the throne. After the reduction of Troyes, Reims was
eager to receive the monarch, who repaired thither on the 27th of July,
1429, and was consecrated the next day.
When this august ceremony was completed, Joan advanced towards the
king, with the tears streaming from her eyes, and throwing herself
at his feet, held his knees embraced for some time; then, checking
her emotion, she said,--“At last, gentle king, I have fulfilled the
pleasure of God, who willed that you should come to Reims to receive
your worthy consecration, by showing that you are king, and are he to
whom the kingdom belongs.”
She then supplicated him to permit her to return to her native village;
but she was still too useful to him to allow her to depart: he
entreated her, he even forced her to continue her services. She yielded
to his commands, and experienced nothing but misfortunes afterwards.