s'en vint led Sieur des Hermoises avec sa femme la Pucelle demourer en Metz en la maison le dit Sire Robert des Hermoises qu'il avoit devant Saincte Segoleine, et se tinrent là jusques tant qu'il lors plaisir."

Thus translated:

"In the year 1436, Sir Philipin Marcouly was prefect of police of Metz; that same year on the 20th day of May arrived Joan the Pucelle of France at La Grange aux Hormes near Saint Privey, being conducted thither to speak to some of the noblemen of Metz; where she assumed the name of Claude: and on the same day came her two brothers; one of them, a chevalier, bore the name of Messire Peter, and the other Little John the esquire; who believed that she had been burnt, but as soon as they saw her they recognised her, as she did them. And upon Monday, the 21st of the said month, they conducted their sister to Bacquillon, where Sir Nicholas Lowe, knight, presented her with a mule of the value of 30 francs, together with its housings; and the lord Aubert Boulay gave her a cap, and Sir Nicholas Groignart a sword: and the said Pucelle went forth very dexterously upon the said beast, and communicated many things to the said Sir Nicholas Lowe, by which he knew that she had been in France, being further recognised from many ⚫ other circumstances to be Joan the Maid of France, who had led king Charles to be crowned at Rheims, and whom many stated to have been burnt at Rouen in Normandy. And upon her departure, several persons of Metz repaired to see her at the said Marieulle, and presented her with many jewels, and ascertained that she

was truly Joan the Maid of France; and there was given to her by Geoffrey Dex a horse. Item, When she was at Arelont she was always at the side of Madame de Luxembourg, and great ceremonials took place, until the son of the count de Warnenbourg accompanied her to Collougne; and upon her return to Arelont the marriage was performed between Sir Robert des Hermoises, knight, and Joan la Pucelle; after which this said Sieur des Hermoises with his wife La Pucelle resided in Metz, in the house of Sir Robert des Hermoises, situated before Saint Segoleine, where they continued during their pleasure."

The above recital is further substantiated by the marriage contract of Robert des Hermoises with La Pucelle, which Father Vignier declares to have seen among the title deeds of the family Des Hermoises; and also in a contract of sale, made by Robert des Hermoises lord of Trichiemont and Jeanne du Lis la Pucelle de France, wife of the aforesaid Trichiement, of certain possessions which he had at Harancourt; which contract was dated the 7th of November, 1436. In short, these circumstances are further strengthened by the descendants of Des Hermoises boasting themselves in a legitimate line from La Pucelle.

Subsequent to this period, fresh proofs have been discovered, according to Monsieur Polluche, in support of the opinion of Father Vignier; for having had occasion to consult the ancient registers at the mansion-house of Orleans, that gentleman fell by chance upon that of Jacques L'Argentier for the years 1435 and 1436, wherein he found, under the article of the expenditure of the

latter, as follows: "To Renaud Brune, the 25th day of July, for giving drink to the messenger who brought letters from Jehanne La Pucelle, who was in his way to Guillaume Bellier Bailly de Troyes:-11 f. 8d. par."

"To Jehan du Lils, brother of Jeheanne La Pucelle, on Tuesday the 21st day of August, 1436, for a gift to him made the sum of 12 liv.; forasmuch as the brother of the said Pucelle came into the chamber of the said city, requiring of the procurators that they would assist him with some money to return to his sister; stating that he came from the king, and that his majesty had ordered that he should receive a hundred francs, and commanded that they should be counted, whereof nothing was done, and twenty only were given, of which he had expended 12 liv. whereof only eight remained, which was no great thing for him to return, considering that he was five days on horseback; and this was commanded in the chamber of the city by the procurators, from which he received 12 liv. pour ce 9 liv. 12 s. par."

I pass over some articles respecting the manner in which Jean du Lis, the brother of La Pucelle, was feasted in Orleans, that I may at once come to the point.

"To Cueur de Lils, the 18th day of October, 1436, for a journey which he performed to the said city, in his way to La Pucelle, who was then at Arelon in the duchy of Luxembourg, and for carrying letters of Jehanne La Pucelle whereof he had been bearer, for the king at Loiches, where he was then resident, and which journey occupied him forty-one days: for the same 6 liv.

par." On continuing these researches, Monsieur de Polluche found, in the account of Gillies Marchousne for the years 1439 and 1440, and further, some articles dated 28th, 29th, and 30th July, 1439, for wine and refreshments presented to Dame Jehanne des Armoises. And lastly, "To Jehanne d'Armoises, for a present given to her the first day of August, 1439; after deliberation made by the council of the city; and for the services rendered by her to the said city during the siege, two hundred and ten livres; for this 210 liv. par."

Testimonies of such a decided nature are certainly calculated to raise inward doubts as to the commonly received opinions of the death of La Pucelle in 1431. The account of the curate of Saint Thiebaut, and the extracts from the archives of the mansion-house of Orleans, are demonstrative: since it appears from thence, that La Pucelle, after having escaped from the English, it little matters how, visits Metz, where she was previously believed to have suffered at Rouen; she is there recognised by many persons deserving of credit, and in particular by her two brothers. Is it possible that the latter could have been deceived in respect to their own sister they, who had served with her in France? John, the elder, two months after, having found his sister, proceeds to Lorraine, in order to find the king and confirm this discovery; he passes through Orleans on returning to his sister, who three years afterwards repairs herself to that city, where she should certainly be well known, and continues a resident in the town for five or six days; she is there recognised and treated at the expense of the

city, which, upon her departure, presents her with no inconsiderable sum; for at that period two hundred and ten francs were equivalent to one thousand seven hundred livres at the present period. Can it be imagined that the inhabitants of Orleans were imposed upon; and that if this Jeanne des Hermoises was an impostor, she could have raised and carried on such imposition? The farce must soon have been discovered, as we shall presently demonstrate.

We will, however, give an additional proof of the opinion entertained at Orleans, that the Pucelle was still in existence. In this same account of Gilles Morchousne already quoted, is found this regular charge, two months anterior to the arrival of Jeanne des Hermoises.

"Nine pounds of wax to make four tapers, and one flambeau, for the obsequies of the defunct Jehanne La Pucelle, in the church of Saint Sanxom of Orleans, upon the eve of the Fête Dieu, 1439." Whereas no similar charge is to be found in the expenses for 1440; nor during that year is any mention made of commemorating any such anniversary.

We may still support the opinion of Father Vignier by a further example. Charles Duke of Orleans in 1443 presented L'Isle aux Bœufs, near Orleans, to Peter du Lis, brother of La Pucelle; stating in such deed of gift that, "Whereas the supplication of the said Messire Pierre, purporting that in order to acquit himself of his loyalty to the king our said lord and the Duke of Orleans, he