royal, and among the rest the duke d'Alençon, who was very desirous of being put into possession of his ducal territories, gave it as his opinion, that Charles ought not as yet to undertake the expedition to Rheims, but that the conquest of Normandy should be attempted. These plans were the result of common-place policy: it was not understood that in following the advice of Jeanne d'Arc, and adopting a vigorous and daring line of conduct, all the calculations of the enemy would be frustrated. La Pucelle, however, more deeply embued with the subject, uniformly persisted in her entreaties, in opposition to the king's generals and counsellors, that Charles should proceed to Rheims, there to be anointed and crowned; * adding that,

Lenglet, (p. 79,) makes La Pucelle address Charles in the following words, differing from those of our text: "Noble Dauphin, ne tenez plus de si longs conseils, mais préparez vous pour vous acheminer à Rheims, recevoir une digne couronne, symbole et marque de la réunion de votre état et de tous vos sujets à votre obéissance: Noble Dauphin, desist from holding such long councils, but prepare for your journey to Rheims, to receive a rightful crown, the symbol and mark of the return of your state and subjects to your obedience." Luchet, (p. 19,) in adverting to the above, shrewdly remarks: "We are not acquainted with the author of this little harangue!" and certainly the concluding sentence is very unlike the style of delivery usually attributed to Jeanne d'Arc.

Hume, speaking of the proposition to repair to Rheims, remarks, that had it been made a few weeks before, it would have

this solemn act once performed, the prosperity of the English would gradually decline. At length Charles VII., in compliance with the desires of Jeanne, promised to undertake the expedition to Rheims as soon as the English should be driven from the posts which they still occupied on the Loire above and below the city of Orleans. About this period one of the brothers of Jeanne d'Arc joined the maid, in order to share the glory of her warlike operations. This was in all probability Jean d'Arc; for Pierre d'Arc was already in company with his sister, and we do not find from history that Jacquemin d'Arc ever quitted the paternal roof.

Every thing was soon prepared for the expedition, and the forces set forward in order to lay siege before Jargeau. The duke d'Alençon, count Dunois, admiral Culan, La Hire, and Florent d'Iliers, accompanied La Pucelle. The whole united forces were then passed in review, consisting of three

been deemed the height of extravagance. He then adds, that Charles resolved to follow the inspirations of the prophetess."Hume," says M. de Saint Prix, (p. 211,) "frequently attributes to Charles a line of policy which his conduct belies. Smollett also follows his example, in stating that the king marched to Beaugenci to take the command of the troops at Patay, &c. "The English," says Saint Prix, generally speaking, confound periods, and represent Charles as a very skilful monarch; in order, no doubt, to infer that Jeanne was made an instrument to forward his designs."

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thousand six hundred men;* being a very inefficient army to undertake the siege of so strong a place, well defended, and under the command of the earl of Suffolk, one of the most experienced generals England had to boast. Some advised that the assault should be attempted without delay, while others were of opinion that reinforcements were necessary; to these, however, Jeanne said: “ N'ayez aucune crainte, et livrez l'assaut; car Dieu conduit votre œuvre : et croyez que si je n'étais pas sûre que Dieu même conduit ce grand ouvrage, je préfèrerais garder les brebis à m'exposer à tant de contradictions et de périls. Do not yield to fear, but begin the assault; for God conducts your work and believe me, if I was not certain that the Lord himself conducts the great enterprise, I should prefer guarding the sheep to exposing myself to so many contradictions and perils." Arrived at Orleans, the troops were joined by fresh reinforcements, which increased the army to between four and five thousand men.

It was calculated by the French that the suburbs of Jargeau might be occupied the same night; but the English commander, having gained timely information, quitted the town in order to offer them battle.

Historians state, "environ douze cens lances;" but when any given number of men at urms, or men of the lance, are specified, such number must be tripled, because every warrior, accoutred,

bearing the lance, was uniformly accompanied by two archers: therefore the twelve hundred lances signified three thousand bundred troops.

The French, disconcerted at finding their intentions thus anticipated, did not oppose with energy the shock of the assailants; and Suffolk endeavoured to cherish the ardour of his soldiers by assurances of victory. Upon this Jeanne d'Arc, snatching her banner from the hands of the squire who bore it, goaded the sides of her steed, and darted amidst the thickest of the conflict. The warriors immediately recognised the voice of the heroine, when, rallying, they surrounded her at the instant, and marched with fresh ardour to assail the enemy. In a short time the scene was changed; the English were repulsed in all directions, and compelled to retire within the city, and abandon the suburbs to the French army.

On the ensuing day, being the twelfth of June, the siege of Jargeau was commenced. Jeanne d'Arc, who possessed an extraordinary skill in disposing of the artillery, conducted matters so ably upon this occasion, that after a few hours the place was completely battered down by the bombs and cannonballs directed against it. On a sudden it was announced that Fastolf and other English captains were approaching with troops from Paris, in order to succour the besieged. This unexpected information was productive of some indecision in the French army. It was proposed to abandon the siege for a time, and repair to encounter Fastolf and his reinforcements; but La Pucelle, in conjunction with some of the generals, showed the folly of

relinquishing an enterprise which had commenced under auspices so propitious; and the siege was, in consequence, renewed with redoubled ardour. Operations were carried on by night as well as by day, and equal valour was manifested by the besiegers and the besieged. At length, on the morning of the third day, Suffolk, perceiving that the garrison was losing its energy, demanded a suspension of arms for fifteen days; promising to surrender the town if it was not succoured within that period. This proposition was rejected; upon which occasion Jeanne made use of the following words: "Que les Anglais aient la vie sauve, et partent, s'ils veulent, en leurs robes et gippons,* autrement ils seront pris d'assaut. Let the lives of the English be saved, and let them depart, if they will, in their robes and petticoats, otherwise they shall be taken by assault."

It was decided that the attack should be made

The word gippon (now jupon) is to be found in various ancient manuscripts written gipe, gipon, and gipoun: it is derived from guibba of the Arabs, and guippona of the Italians. In using this expression, it does not appear that Jeanne d'Arc intended a reflection upon the English, owing to any peculiarity in that part of their dress; since we read in the Journal de Paris, under the reigns of Charles VI. and VII. page 2, as follows: "Furent deux hommes tempestez, dont l'un fut tué tout mort, et ses souliers et ses chausses, son gippon, furent tout désirez, et si n'avoit le corps entamé, et l'autre homme fut tout affole."