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were stationed. of the former sally, she strongly urged the attacking another tower much greater in extent and far better garrisoned, Dunois insisted on taking the wiser course of assailing the lesser forts which commanded the communication with Berri. The more important of these were taken mainly by her assistance in heading the troops, and rallying whatever detachment happened to be momentarily repulsed. On one occasion her advice was followed contrary to what appeared the more expedient course. It had been proposed to desist from the attack commenced upon the Tournelles, the fort that commanded the bridge; she, quickly perceiving the enemy's fire to slacken, concluded justly that his ammunition was expended, and urged a renewal of the assault. The event justified her discernment, and the fort was taken, after great resistance, during which she received a wound in the neck she quickly dressed it, staunched the blood, and regained her post at the head of the troops. The tower was carried with the loss to the besiegers of 30 officers, and thrice as many men.

So likewise when, after the success

Since offensive operations were renewed, while the French lost but a mere handful of their troops, the English loss amounted to six thousand. But a much greater calamity was their loss of courage and confidence in themselves. They could, by no efforts of their captains, be roused to anything like their former spirit; they felt persuaded that Heaven had declared against them; and they regarded themselves as

engaged in a hopeless contest with supernatural powers ranged on the side of their enemies. In these circumstances Suffolk and his officers, aware of their force being now too much reduced to maintain the blockade, and also perceiving how little prospect there was of any reinforcements arriving to restore the confidence of their disheartened troops, deemed it advisable to raise the siege, and retire towards Beaugency, where, as well as in the neighbouring places, they still had respectable garrisons. This operation was effected, and Orleans relieved, after a siege of seven months. But the retreating army was closely followed; the important town of Beaugency, the only post on the Loire which they retained, was taken, as well as several other places; and a pitched battle was fought at Patay, in which they 1429. were defeated with the loss of 2000 men. Encouraged by these auspicious events Charles now prepared to head his army in person. He advanced to Gien, where large numbers of his barons joined him, leading their retainers, and serving at their own expense. He directed an attack on Bonnay near the Loire, and, having taken it with little difficulty, he even meditated marching on Paris. All was hope and confidence in his party, while the Regent was flung into dismay when he saw that his troops, so long accustomed to victory, had now lost all reliance on themselves. Cast down by a rapid succession of disasters, they no more exerted their wonted resolution, but gave way to despair under the

June 18,

impression which they seemed not to struggle against, that their conflict was with an enemy the special favourite of Heaven.

So great a change in the fortunes of Charles, and so sad a reverse in those of his adversary, had the strange and romantic adventures of the Maid brought about; a reverse which all just minds, however inaccessible to belief in her divine mission, must have regarded with heartfelt satisfaction as the due reward of patriot valour, and the condign punishment of unprincipled aggression!

Charles kept his little court at Chinon, and there the Maid was received with every distinction as the deliverer of France, and the lawful monarch's most powerful ally. She was admitted to all the councils of the commanders, and had constant access to their King, whom she earnestly urged to march upon Rheims that he might there celebrate the festival of his coronation. As most of the intermediate country was in the hands of the English, the general opinion inclined strongly against this course, and was in favour of first laying siege to several towns, particularly Cosne and La Charité on the Loire, above Orleans. But she insisted with such unusual vehemence upon immediately taking the route of Rheims that her opinion prevailed, seconded as it was by the reflection that her former promises had been so marvellously performed, and by the disposition to yield before the kind of mysterious nature which shrouded her. It was, therefore, determined to attempt pro

ceeding towards the city consecrated by ancient usage to the inauguration of the French monarchs.

As soon as this resolution became known, the Constable Richemont manifested an extreme desire to assist at the august ceremony, and reckoning on the promised good offices of Alençon and the Maid to bring about his reconcilement with Charles, prepared to join him. The secret enmity of Trémouille frustrated this design, and he was forbidden to attend the court. In truth the condition which, upon Buchan's death, he had annexed, or had joined Philip in annexing, to his acceptance of the Constable's staff, the expulsion of Tanneguy du Chastel and Jean Louvet from Charles's councils, had never been forgotten; and a new proof was thus afforded how insuperable are the difficulties of command to a feudal sovereign whose courtiers and councillors are a body of independent Princes, each supported by his own followers, and none willing to perform the duties or yield the submission of subjects.'

Charles now marched with his army of 12,000 men by Auxerre (which he left unmolested on condition of its furnishing him with provisions) to Troyes, the capital of Champagne, where the garrison of Burgundians and English were forced by the inhabitants to treat for a capitulation. But the negotiation, after a week's delay, failed; and the army suffering extremely from want of supplies, the general voice required that Charles should retreat

1 Note LX.

upon his resources. The Maid here interposed. She entreated him to persevere; she engaged that by storm or by treaty the place should fall in three days. Having obtained his promise to allow this delay before he abandoned the enterprise, she used extraordinary exertions to encourage the officers and the men; she made them bring up guns for the attack and fascines for the escalade;' and she contrived by going round the adjacent villages to obtain the supplies of food so much wanted. Meanwhile the fame of her exploits spread among the townsfolk; her promises often fulfilled were cited with the exaggeration natural to such a topic; her declarations of divine aid were repeated from mouth to mouth; the wonders she had wrought, ascribed to such a cause, struck the minds of men with awe; they could not refuse their belief to the heavenly ministry which she affected; and thus the garrison, finding themselves overpowered by the inhabitants, yielded on the second of the three days, only stipulating for a general amnesty. Châlons on the Marne surrendered with much less resistance. The army advanced to Rheims; and the ceremony of the coronation took place with as much pomp as the scanty attendance of nobles would permit.

Sunday, July 17,

1429.

Some writers reproach her as having planted mock guns in view of the town (Mez., ii. 15). But it is difficult to suppose that the townspeople should not see that these guns did not fire. The other accounts given are more probable,—that she planted small pieces which were found in the country.-P. Daniel, vii. 73.

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