The king asked her if she wished to speak before so many people.
Yes, she would speak. When they doubted her she prayed, 'and then she
heard a Voice saying to her:
'"_Fille De, va, va, va, je serai a ton aide, va!_"'[17]
'And when she heard this Voice she was right glad, and wished that she
could always be as she was then; and as she spoke,' says Dunois, 'she
rejoiced strangely, lifting her eyes to heaven.' And still she repeated:
'I will last for only one year, or little more; use me while you may.'
Joan stirred the politicians at last. They would go to Reims, but could
they leave behind them English garrisons in Jargeau, where Suffolk
commanded, in Meun, where Talbot was, and in other strong places?
Already, without Joan, the French had attacked Jargeau, after the rescue
of Orleans, and had failed. Joan agreed to assail Jargeau. Her army was
led by the 'fair duke,' d'Alencon. He had but lately come from prison in
England, and his young wife was afraid to let him go to war. 'Madame,'
said Joan, 'I will bring him back safe, and even better than he is now.'
We shall see how she saved his life. It was now that Guy and Andre de
Laval saw her, and wrote the description of her black horse and white
armour. They followed with her gladly, believing that with her glory was
to be won.
Let us tell what followed in the words of the Duc d'Alencon.
[Illustration: 'Now arose a dispute among the captains']
'We were about six hundred lances, who wished to go against the town of
Jargeau, then held by the English. That night we slept in a wood, and
next day came Dunois and Florence d'Illiers and some other captains.
When we were all met we were about twelve hundred lances; and now arose
a dispute among the captains, some thinking that we should attack the
city, others not so, for they said that the English were very strong,
and had many men.[18] Seeing this difference, Jeanne bade us have no fear
of any numbers, nor doubt about attacking the English, because God was
guiding us. She herself would rather be herding sheep than fighting, if
she were not certain that God was with us. Thereon we rode to Jargeau,
meaning to occupy the outlying houses, and there pass the night; but the
English knew of our approach, and drove in our skirmishers. Seeing this,
Jeanne took her banner and went to the front, bidding our men be in good
heart. And they did so much that they held the suburbs of Jargeau that
night. . . . Next morning we got ready our artillery, and brought guns
up against the town. After some days a council was held, and I, with
others, was ill content with La Hire, who was said to have parleyed with
Lord Suffolk. La Hire was sent for, and came. Then it was decided to
storm the town, and the heralds cried, "To the attack!" and Jeanne said
to me, "Forward, gentle duke." I thought it was too early, but she said,
"Doubt not; the hour is come when God pleases. Ah, gentle duke, are you
afraid? Know you not that I promised your wife to bring you back safe
and sound?" as indeed she had said. As the onslaught was given, Jeanne
bade me leave the place where I stood, "or yonder gun," pointing to one
on the walls, "will slay you." Then I withdrew, and a little later de
Lude was slain in that very place. And I feared greatly, considering the
prophecy of the Maid. Then we both went together to the onslaught; and
Suffolk cried for a parley, but no man marked him, and we pressed on.
Jeanne was climbing a ladder, banner in hand, when her flag was struck
by a stone, and she also was struck on her head, but her light helmet
saved her. She leaped up again, crying, "Friends, friends, on, on! Our
Lord has condemned the English. They are ours; be of good heart." In
that moment Jargeau was taken, and the English fled to the bridges, we
following, and more than eleven hundred of them were slain.'
One Englishman at least died well. He stood up on the battlements, and
dashed down the ladders till he was shot by a famous marksman of
Lorraine.
Suffolk and his brother were taken prisoners. According to one account,
written at the time, Suffolk surrendered to the Maid, as 'the most
valiant woman in the world.' And thus the Maid stormed Jargeau.