fore they were very united in the defence of the city; and in consequence divided them between themselves in their hotels, and nourished them with such things as God gave to them, just as familiarly as if they had been their own children.

A short time after, the Bastard of Orleans, the marshal of Saint Severe, the lord de Graville, the lord de Courraze, Poton de Sainctes Trailles, and divers other knights, esquires, and men at war, a part of whom carrying javelins, had come from Bourges, Tours, Angiers, Blois, and other good cities of this kingdom, departed from Orleans, and went unto Jargeau, where they performed several skirmishes, which lasted upwards of three hours, to ascertain if they could besiege the place; who then found that they could accomplish nothing there, on account of the water, which was risen high and had filled up the fosses and on this account did they return in safety. But the English sustained much injury; for a very valorous knight of England, called Messire Henry Bisset, then captain of the city, was there killed, whereat they performed great mourning.

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While these skirmishings were taking place, in such sort acted the Pucelle, that she arrived where the king was; before whom, as soon as she beheld him, she kneeled herself down with much gentleness, and embracing him round the legs, said unto him:

"Gentil Dauphin, come and receive your corona

"tion at Rheims. I am mightily spurred that you "should go; and do not entertain a doubt that you "will in that city receive your worthy inaugura"tion."

At the which the king performed marvellous grand feasting, as did also all those of the court, taking into consideration her virtuous life, and the great feats, and marvels in arms, performed under her conduct. Wherefore, shortly after, were the lords, chieftains of war, captains, and other sage men of the court, summoned by the king; and several councils took place at Tours, in order to determine what was requisite to be done concerning the request of the Pucelle, who desired with so much affection and with such instance, that he should retire to Rheims, and be there consecrated. Upon the which there were divers opinions, for some counselled that he should previously go into Normandy, and others that he should await the taking of some other principal places situated upon the banks of the Loire. At length the king and three or four of his most intimate princes, having retired apart, devising among themselves in special secrecy, thought that it would be expedient, for the greater surety, to learn of the Pucelle what the voice said unto her, and wherefore she thus gave them such firm assurances. But they were in doubts as to requiring from her the truth, fearing lest she should be ill pleased; the

which she knew by Divine Grace, wherefore she presented herself before them, and said unto the king:

"In the name of God, I know all that you think " and wish to say respecting the voice that I have "heard, in regard to your coronation; and I will tell

you. I began to utter my orisons, as is my usual "custom, making complaint because all that I said was not believed. And then the voice said unto

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me: Girl, go, go, go; I will be ready to assist "thee: go! And whensoever that voice comes, I "am marvellously rejoiced, even beyond myself." And while uttering these words, she raised her eyes up to heaven, and testified a sign of great exultation.

These things being thus made known, the king was immediately right joyous, and from thence was it concluded that she should be believed, and that he would go to Rheims; but that he would not do so before taking of some places upon the Loire. And that during the period which would be occupied in reducing them, he would assemble together a great power of princes, lords, men at war, and others obedient unto him. Wherefore he nominated, as his lieutenant-general, John duke of Alençon, newly delivered from captivity in England, where he had continued a prisoner from the period of the battle of Verneuil, since which time he had not returned until the deposit was made of a portion of his

ransom pledges, with the hostages then remaining there in his stead, the which he briefly after acquitted, and in order so to do, sold a portion of his lands, thinking to recover others by assisting and succouring the king, his sovereign lord. Who, to do this, awarded to him a great number of men at arms and artillery, and gave to accompany him the Pucelle, expressly commanding him, that he should act and do entirely according to her counsel. And he conducted himself as one taking great delight to behold her in his company; and in like manner did the people at arms, all conceiving and respecting her to be sent by our Lord, and so she was. Wherefore the duke of Alençon and she, and their men at arms, took leave of the king, and entered the plains, keeping themselves in good array. And in this manner did they shortly after enter into Orleans, at which place they were welcomed with great joy by all the citizens, and above the rest, the Pucelle in the gazing upon whom they were never sufficiently satisfied.

After the duke of Alençon, the Pucelle, the count de Vendosme, the Bastard of Orleans, the marshal of Saint Severe, La Hire, Messire Fleurent d'Illiers, Jamet de Tilloy, and a valiant gentleman very renowned of old, called Tudual de Carmoisen, sirnamed the Bourgois, of the nation of Brittany, with many other personages of war who had remained for a short period in Orleans, took their departure on

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Saturday, being the eleventh day of June, comprising altogether about eight thousand combatants, as well on horseback as on foot; of whom many carried javelins, hatchets, cross-bows, and others leaden mallets. And they caused to be transported and taken a sufficient quantity of artillery, thus departing in order to lay the siege before Jargeau, then taking part with the English; in the which place was Messire William de la Pole, earl of Suffolk, and Messire John, Messire Alexander de la Pole his brothers, and with them between six and seven hundred English combatants, furnished with cannon and other artillery, very valiant men in war; and even so did they show it in many assaults and skirmishes, which there took place during the said siege; the which was half raised on account of the terrible speeches of some, who said that it ought to be abandoned for the purpose of proceeding to the encounter of Messire John Fascot (Fastolf) and other chieftains of the adverse party, coming from Paris and conveying provisions and artillery with full two thousand English combatants, desirous of causing the siege to be raised, or, at all events, of victualling and affording succour to the city of Jargeau. And immediately many departed, and so had all the rest done, had it not been for the Pucelle and many lords and captains, who with fine speeches caused them to abide and made the others return; so that the siege was recommenced in an instant, and they