Even the churches did not escape pillage, and the soldiers butchered prisoners while under the protection of those to whom they had surrendered. Jeanne d'Arc and the duke d'Alençon, fearful lest a similar fate should attend the earl of Suffolk, caused him to enter a boat, with several other English lords, for their safe conduct to Orleans, which city they gained without further molestation.

La Pucelle and the duke d'Alençon returned to Orleans the same night, and from thence they despatched to the king an account of the taking of Jargeau.

The regent duke of Bedford, dreadfully alarmed at these signal reverses, had recourse to the most strenuous endeavours for re-establishing the English affairs in the Orleanais; and to forward these views, he made the most pressing applications for fresh supplies from England.

While the Pucelle remained at Orleans, she witnessed the accession of many powerful noblemen of France, with their vassals, to the royal standard, by which increase the army was raised to nearly seven thousand men. It was now resolved to besiege the town of Beaugenci. At this period Charles VII. repaired to Sully, that he might be nearer to the army, and be enabled to afford succour, if required. According to the advice of Jeanne d'Arc, the French possessed themselves

of the fortifications of the bridge at Meun,* for the purpose of facilitating the passage of the Loire, and laying siege before Beaugenci. This town was commanded by the famous lord Talbot; but he confided the charge to another experienced officer, while he proceeded to meet Fastolf, who was on his march from Paris with a plentiful supply of men and ammunition.

On the sixteenth of June, the French army took their station before Beaugenci, on the side of Beausse, which place they carried by assault without much difficulty. The English then retired to the castle, when La Pucelle and the other French captains planted the bombs and cannon, and got all things in readiness to besiege that fortress.

The earl of Richemont, constable of France, who was not in favour at the court of Charles VII., and whose succours the king would not receive, nevertheless presented himself at the siege of Beaugenci. His supplies were of no utility; but the situation in which he placed Jeanne d'Arc and the duke d'Alençon was not the less embarrassing, and

• This was Meun, or Mehung, on the Loire. After the capture of Jargeau, the English garrison of La Ferte Hubert evacuated that place, and proceeded to reinforce Beaugenci. - See Monstrelet, vol. ii. folio 44.

had very nearly produced a division in the army.*

The following day, at the time when La Pu

Arthur, earl of Brittany, constable of France, brother of the duke, repaired to the siege, accompanied by several other noblemen, and from twelve to fifteen hundred troops raised at their own expense. The arrival of the constable gave the king some uneasiness, because his favourite, the lord de la Trimouille, had prejudiced him against this first officer of the crown; and the duke d'Alençon refused to hold any communication with the constable, owing to the unfavourable sentiments entertained towards him by the king. Saintrailles, La Hire, and several other captains, however, were of opinion that the mediation of La Pucelle should be resorted to, in order to effect a reconciliation between the king and the constable. Jeanne, who had as yet sought no favour at the hands of royalty, freely consented, but only on condition that the constable would make oath, between the hands of the duke d'Alençon, to serve the king loyally; and that all the noblemen who sought to bring about this good understanding, should affix their seals, or give their signatures, with that of the constable, to be laid before the king. All this was executed, when Charles, apprized of the danger that might result from irritating the constable, acquiesced, although his favourite, La Trimouille, endeavoured to oppose the measure.— · Lenglet, vol. i. pp. 86, 87.

Luchet says, "At the siege of Beaugenci an event occurred which merits some consideration. The constable Richemont, having heard of the successes attending the enterprises of Charles VII., hurried to the scene of action, either to share in or to augment them. La Pucelle was opposed to his admission, conceiving him to be an enemy of the Dauphin; - her miracu

celle was in consultation with the duke d'Alençon, news was brought of the advance of the English with a powerful force, headed by the lord Talbot; and from every quarter the soldiers cried, "To arms!" It was at this juncture that our heroine addressed the prince, who was on the point of departing, in consequence of the arrival of the constable, and stated the necessity of immediate succour; and entreated, that in a moment when it was requisite to concentrate all the forces, he certainly would not think of abandoning his post. It is most probable that these exhortations of Jeanne prompted the duke to change his resolution, and continue with his forces under the royal standard.

The earl of Richemont, having learned that the head of the bridge of Meun, where a small number of French were posted, was in danger of falling into the power of the garrison of the city, despatched sixty horsemen and a body of archers to afford succour to that post.

lous voices should have instructed her that the intentions of Arthur were sincere. This lack of celestial intelligence might have been attended with very disastrous consequences, had not some lords fortunately interfered, and disposed the king to accept the services of the earl of Richemont. Count Dunois having apprized La Pucelle that the constable's arrival could not but prove advantageous to the royal cause, she hastened to effect his reconciliation with the king." - See page 21.

However, during the night, the commander of the castle of Beaugenci demanded a capitulation, which was complied with; and his troops retired, carrying away their arms and baggage, and engaging not to bear arms for ten days after the capitulation. This force marched off to Meun.

Scarcely had the garrison of Beaugenci evacuated the fortress, before the speedy approach of the English army was announced to the French captains, when Jeanne d'Arc thus addressed herself to the earl of Richemont: "Ah, beau connétable! vous n'êtes pas venu de par moi, mais puisque vous êtes venu, vous serez le bien venu: Ah, handsome constable! you are not come upon my account; but since you are arrived, you shall be right welcome."*

La Pucelle and the generals ordered the troops to march from Beaugenci, and ranged them in order of battle, that they might be in readiness to receive the shock of the enemy's attack; for they were convinced that the English had only united their forces for the purpose of daring the French to a decisive encounter. The duke d'Alençon, in presence of count Dunois, the constable Richemont, and several other captains, then inquired of Jeanne what course it was necessary to adopt? "Avez-vous des bons éperons?

• See Notes, vol. i. page 193.

Have you good

† Luchet, page 22, in reference to the above reply of Jeanne,