been kept many prisoners, whom those of the garrison were conducting with them in consequence of the treaty. But this the Pucelle would not suffer, when the period came for their departure. Wherefore they were ransomed by the king, who largely paid their masters.

On this same day did the king, upon his part, nominate captains and other officers of the city; and upon the following day, all those of his army entered into the same, who on the night before had remained in the open fields, under the command of Messire Ambrose de Loré. After this, the king, accompanied by all his forces, took his departure, according to the advice of the Pucelle, who much hastened him; and in such wise they acted, that they came unto Chalons, and there entered in great joy; for the bishop and the citizens went forth to meet him, and there performed full obedience. Therefore, upon his own part, did he place captains and officers, and then departed in the direction of Rheims. And in consequence of this city not being under his obedience, he lodged some four leagues distant, in a castle named Lepsaulx, belonging to the archbishop; whereat those of Rheims were much shocked, and in particular the lords of Chastillon on the Marne and of Saueuses, being therein garrisoned in behalf of the English and the Burgundians; who caused the citizens to be convened, and stated unto them, if they would hold out for the length of

six weeks, that they would bring them succour. And afterwards with their consent did they take their departure. The which not being yet gone very far, a public council was held by the citizens, and with the consent of all the inhabitants, were messengers despatched to the king, who granted unto them all abolitions, and they delivered up unto him the keys of the city. Into the which, this same day in the morning, which was on a Saturday, the archbishop proceeded and made his entrance; for since he had been created archbishop, never yet had he entered. And after the dinner hour, and towards evening, the king entered, together with his whole army, with whom was Jeanne la Pucelle, being much regarded by all. And thither in like manner came René, duc de Bar and of Lorraine, brother of the king of Sicily, and also the lord de Commercy, well accompanied by men at war, offering themselves for his service.

The day ensuing, which was Sunday the seventh day of July, of this same year one thousand four hundred twenty and nine, the lords de Saint Severe and de Rays, marshals of France, the lord de Graville, and the lord de Culan, admiral of France, were, according to ancient custom, despatched by the king to Saint Remy in order to procure the Saint Ampoulle. The which took the accustomed oaths, whereby they promised to bring the same, and to take it back again in surety; and very

devoutly and solemnly did the abbot bring the same, being clothed in the pontifical robes, having over his vestment a rich covering of gold, even unto the church of Saint Denys. And thither also repaired the archbishop, clothed, and accompanied by his canons, and there received and carried the same into the church, and placed it upon the grand altar of our Lady at Rheims, in front of which came the king, clothed as well befitted him. Unto whom the archbishop caused the accustomed oaths to be administered which were wont to be read unto the true kings of France when they received the holy oil. And immediately afterwards was the king made a knight, by the duke of Alençon, and this performed, he was anointed and crowned; the archbishop performing the ceremonies, and pronouncing the orisons, benedictions, and exhortations contained in the pontifical, always used at this holy inauguration; the which being accomplished, the king by an especial grant made him count of the lordship of Laval; and there did also the duke of Alençon and the count de Clermont raise many to the rank of knights. And the ceremony being ended, the Saint Ampoulle was restored and carried back in the same manner it had been brought. When the Pucelle saw that the king was consecrated and crowned, she fell upon her knees before him, all the lords being there present; and while embracing him round the legs, she

thus addressed herself unto him, shedding warm

tears:

"Gentle king, thus is accomplished the pleasure " of God, whose will was, that the siege of Orleans "should be raised, and that you should be con"ducted unto this city of Rheims to receive your "holy inauguration; thus to show, that you are the "true king, and him unto whom the kingdom of "France does by right appertain.”

:

And much pity did she inspire into all those who beheld her. This same day, and the two days following, did the king sojourn at Rheims, and afterwards proceeded to Saint Marcoul, through whose intercession did the kings of France, by divine grace, obtain the power of healing the king's evil and in consequence thereof, they should immediately repair thither after their coronation; which the king did and accomplished accordingly. And being arrived there, he performed his orisons and presented his offerings; from the which place he went into a small closed city, named Vailly, in the valley, and at four leagues from Soissons: the citizens of the which city of Soissons brought unto him the keys, as did also those of the city of Laon, to which he had sent his heralds to summon them to open their gates; but, on quitting Vailly, he journeyed unto Soissons, at the which place he was welcomed with great joy by all those of the city, who much loved him and desired his coming. And there

arrived unto him the right and joyous tidings that Chateau Thierry, Crecy en Brie, Provins, Coulemiers, and many other cities, were subjected unto his obedience. When the king had continued for a space of time in this same saint city of Soissons, he went his way and arrived at Chateau Thierry, and from thence to Provins, at the which place he continued three or four days, and ranged his army in order of battle, and betook him unto the fields near unto a place called La Motte de Maugis, awaiting the coming of the duke of Bedford, who had issued forth from Paris, and passing by Corbueil, arrived at Melun, from whence he departed, having at the most ten thousand combatants, stating that he would give him battle. But he changed his tone and returned to Paris, notwithstanding he had full as great a force as the king: the which had many in his company who so much desired to return to the river of the Loire; wherefore, in order to But the satisfy them, he concluded so to do. people of Bray, where he purposed to traverse the Seine, and who had promised to yield him admittance, took into their city a great company of English and of Burgundians, the night before he was to pass the same; whereat were mightily displeased the dukes of Bar and of Alençon, and the counts of Vendosme and of Laval, with the other captains and valiant men at war, against the will of whom would the king fain think to return; and