The name of Joan was now such a terror to the English that men deserted
rather than face her in arms. At this time the truce with Burgundy
ended, and the duke openly set out to besiege the strong town of
Compiegne, held by de Flavy for France. Joan hurried to Compiegne,
whence she made two expeditions which were defeated by treachery.
Perhaps she thought of this, perhaps of the future, when in the church
of Compiegne she declared one day to a crowd of children whom she loved
that she knew she was sold and betrayed. Old men who had heard her told
this tale long afterwards.
Burgundy had invested Compiegne, when Joan, with four hundred men, rode
into the town secretly at dawn. That day Joan led a sally against the
Burgundians. Her Voices told her nothing, good or bad, she says. The
Burgundians were encamped at Margny and at Clairoix, the English at
Venette, villages on a plain near the walls. Joan crossed the bridge on
a grey charger, in a surcoat of crimson silk, rode through the redoubt
beyond the bridge, and attacked the Burgundians. Flavy in the town was
to prevent the English from attacking her in the rear. He had boats on
the river to secure Joan's retreat if necessary.
[Illustration: Joan captured]
Joan swept through Margny, driving the Burgundians before her; the
garrison of Clairoix came to their help; the battle was doubtful.
Meanwhile the English came up; they could not have reached the
Burgundians, to aid them, but some of the Maid's men, seeing the
English standards, fled. The English followed them under the walls of
Compiegne; the gate of the redoubt was closed to prevent the English
from entering with the runaways. Like Hector under Troy, the Maid was
shut out from the town which she came to save.
Joan was with her own foremost line when the rear fled. They told her of
her danger, she heeded not. For the last time rang out in that girlish
voice: '_Allez avant! Forward, they are ours!_'
Her men seized her bridle and turned her horse's head about. The English
held the entrance from the causeway; Joan and a few men (her brother was
one of them) were driven into a corner of the outer wall. A rush was
made at Joan. 'Yield I yield! give your faith to me!' each man cried.
'I have given my faith to Another,' she said, 'and I will keep my oath.'
Her enemies confess that on this day Joan did great feats of arms,
covering the rear of her force when they had to fly.
Some French historians hold that the gates were closed by treason that
the Maid might be taken. We may hope that this was not so; the commander
of Compiegne held his town successfully for the king, and was rescued by
Joan's friend, the brave Pothon de Xaintrailles.