deemed expedient to march the army. It appears that the wound of La Pucelle did not prove dangerous, since she was permitted to undertake the journey. However, to testify her devotion, before she proceeded on her route, she offered up to Saint Denis, according to the custom adopted in those days by persons wounded in war, a trophy consisting of the complete equipment of a man at arms, together with the sword which she had taken before Paris. This offering Jeanne caused to be hung against one of the pillars in the church of Saint Denis.*

The king, accompanied by La Pucelle, made his triumphant entry into Gien about the end of September; being not more than three months after he had set out to undertake one of the most hazardous expeditions which the history of France has recorded.

Charles VII. continued for some days at Gien, from whence he proceeded to Tours, and thence to Chinon. The queen, who was desirous of being near her husband, went to meet the monarch; and La Pucelle, who had their reconciliation much at

* Jeanne was accused of having hung banners in the church of Saint Denis, for the purpose of attracting public veneration, whereas she only sought to render homage to God on account of the success attending the French arms. Chaussard, vol. i, pages 47, 48.

heart, beheld with satisfaction this proceeding on the part of Mary of Anjou. Jeanne, in consequence, preceded the king and his retinue, and went in person to meet the royal consort; when Charles, instead of continuing his route to Chinon, consented to repair to Bourges, whither he returned with the queen.

Jeanne d'Arc, during her continuance at the latter city, resided in the house of Renaud de Bouligny, the king's advocate and receiver of the finances, where she remained for the space of three weeks, regularly sharing the bed of the mistress of the

mansion.

Although the wonderful exploits of La Pucelle had acquired her the greatest renown, she had not hitherto received any signal mark of the royal favour. It was in the month of December, 1429, that the letters of nobility were accorded by Charles VII. to Jeanne d'Arc and her family; and from that time it was the king's pleasure that she should be clothed in rich apparel, and that the full establishment and retinue of a count should be attached to her person.*

Lenglet says, (vol. i. p. 123,) “The king being at Berri, forwarded to Meung, in the month of December, letters patent, which were registered in the Chamber of Accounts the 16th January, 1430, whereby La Pucelle, with all her family, was ennobled ; and he moreover gave them the name of DULYS." "The females of the family of Jeanne d'Arc only enjoyed this

From the period of Charles's return to Gien, a discussion had existed as, to the propriety of again undertaking the expedition to Normandy, and entrusting the command to La Pucelle and the duke d'Alençon. It appears, however, that the project was adopted which had been proposed previous to the departure for Rheims, that of seizing all the strong places on the banks of the Loire which remained in possession of the enemy. In consequence of this resolution, the siege of Saint Pierre le Moutier was decided upon, before the attempt upon La Charité on the Loire. Jeanne d'Arc and the lord d'Albret, who were charged with this expedition, united their forces at Bourges, and soon proceeded from thence to the first-mentioned place; and upon this occasion, as upon so many others, La Pucelle distinguished herself by perseverance, courage, and intrepidity. In consequence of a vigorous resistance on the part of the besieged, the French already began to feel their courage subdued. Jeanne remained almost alone on the walls of the town, calling aloud for faggots and other materials necessary to fill up the fosse.* At

distinction for six years, the parliament having afterwards limited such favour to the male descendants."-Luchet, p. 25.

The armorial bearings of La Pucelle were:- azure: a sword in pale argent, cross and pomel or, bearing on point a crown or, between two fleurs-de-lis of the second.

"The attack was then directed for some time on Saint Pierre

length, reanimated by her undaunted perseverance in the midst of danger, the forces suddenly rallied at the voice of the heroine, and the city was immediately taken.

After this victory Jeanne d'Arc was desirous of marching the army to the Isle of France, where the English had obtained some advantages, and retaken some fortresses from the French. It was, however, represented to her, that it would be more politic to attack La Charité on the Loire, with which proposal she acquiesced; another striking instance of her submissiveness after the accomplishment of her mission: indeed, it now appeared as if she made it a duty to conform to the wishes of the

le Moutier; the French commenced the assault of the place, but found themselves compelled to sound a retreat; notwithstanding which, Jeanne continued firm at her post. Daulon, who had been wounded in the heel by an arrow, entreated her to retire, at the same time asking why she did not follow the rest? La Pucelle, then taking off her helmet to make her obeisance, answered, that she was not alone, for that fifty thousand of her people were with her, and that she had no intention of retiring until the town should be taken. Daulon, seeing only five or six soldiers present, again exhorted her to retire; but instead of following his advice, she ordered fresh materials to be thrown into the fosse, and the city was almost immediately captured. Charles soon after entered Pierre le Moutier, Jeanne marching before him, bearing her standard. She took care to preserve the church from pillage, so that every thing it contained was religiously respected." - Chaussard, vol. i. p. 50.

generals, and to set aside the opinion she might herself entertain on the proceedings as they occurred. In this expedition La Pucelle followed the lord d'Albret and the marshal of Saint Sevère; the troops under their command being few in number, and the place intended to be besieged of considerable strength. Arrangements were, in consequence, made for the attack; but more than a month transpired ere the besiegers made any progress, and the city showed no disposition to capitulate. Several very sanguinary assaults having been attempted without producing a favourable result, the French were at length compelled to raise the siege and abandon all their artillery. While this ill success attended the attack on La Charité, the intrepid La Hire, having scaled the walls of Louviers, took possession of that city.

During these transactions the duke of Burgundy, wholly occupied with the preparations for his marriage, forgot alike his allies the English, and the affairs of the country. This prince abandoned the environs of the capital to all the horrors of war, and the most abject misery reigned especially throughout Paris; so that the royal troops proceeded to skirmish under the very walls of the city. About this time the French got possession of Melun by surprise, when the English and the Burgundians, being anxious to repossess the place, were repulsed by the enemy. It appears that La