Part 51 (1/2)
The train-bands reached Jargeau on Sat.u.r.day, the 11th. Straightway, without staying to take counsel, they hastened to the trenches and began the a.s.sault. They were too zealous; consequently, they went badly to work, received no aid from the men-at-arms and were driven back in disorder.[1202]
[Footnote 1202: Perceval de Cagny, p. 150.]
On Sat.u.r.day night, the Maid, who was accustomed to summon the enemy before fighting, approached the entrenchments, and cried out to the English: ”Surrender the town to the King of Heaven and to King Charles, and depart, or it will be the worse for you.”[1203]
[Footnote 1203: _Ibid._]
To this summons the English paid no heed, albeit they had a great desire to come to some understanding. The Earl of Suffolk came to my Lord the b.a.s.t.a.r.d, and told him that if he would refrain from the attack, the town should be surrendered to him. The English asked for a fortnight's respite, after which time, they would undertake to withdraw immediately, they and their horses, provided, doubtless, that by that time they had not been relieved.[1204] On both sides such conditional surrenders were common. The Sire de Baudricourt had signed one at Vaucouleurs just before Jeanne's arrival there.[1205] In this case it was mere trickery to ask the French to enter into such an agreement just when Sir John Fastolf was coming with artillery and supplies.[1206] It has been a.s.serted that the b.a.s.t.a.r.d was taken in this snare; but such a thing is incredible; he was far too wily for that. Nevertheless, on the morrow, which was Sunday and the 12th of the month, the Duke of Alencon and the n.o.bles, who were holding a council concerning the measures for the capture of the town, were told that Captain La Hire was conferring with the Earl of Suffolk. They were highly displeased.[1207] Captain La Hire, who was not a general, could not treat in his own name, and had doubtless received powers from my Lord the b.a.s.t.a.r.d. The latter commanded for the Duke, a prisoner in the hands of the English, while the Duke of Alencon commanded for the King; and hence the disagreement.
[Footnote 1204: _Trial_, vol. i, pp. 79, 95.]
[Footnote 1205: S. Luce, _Jeanne d'Arc a Domremy_, p. clxviii.]
[Footnote 1206: _Journal du siege, Chronique de la Pucelle_, J.
Chartier, Monstrelet, _loc. cit._]
[Footnote 1207: _Trial_, vol. iii, p. 95.]
The Maid, who was always ready to show mercy to prisoners when they surrendered and at the same time always ready to fight, said: ”If they will, let them in their jackets of mail depart from Jargeau with their lives! If they will not, the town shall be stormed.”[1208]
[Footnote 1208: _Ibid._, vol. i, pp. 79-80, 234.]
The Duke of Alencon, without even inquiring the terms of the capitulation, had Captain La Hire recalled.
He came, and straightway the ladders were brought. The heralds sounded the trumpets and cried: ”To the a.s.sault.”
The Maid unfurled her standard, and fully armed, wearing on her head one of those light helmets known as _chapelines_,[1209] she went down into the trenches with the King's men and the train-bands, well within reach of arrows and cannon-b.a.l.l.s. She kept by the Duke of Alencon's side, saying: ”Forward! fair duke, to the a.s.sault.”
[Footnote 1209: _Ibid._, vol. iii, p. 97. Perceval de Cagny, pp.
150-151.]
The Duke, who was not so courageous as she, thought that she went rather hastily to work; and this he gave her to understand.
Then she encouraged him: ”Fear not. G.o.d's time is the right time. When He wills it you must open the attack. Go forward, He will prepare the way.”
And seeing him lack confidence, she reminded him of the promise she had recently made concerning him in the Abbey of Saint-Florent-les-Saumur.
”Oh! Fair Duke, can you be afraid? Do you not remember that I promised your wife to bring you back safe and sound?”[1210]
[Footnote 1210: _Trial_, vol. iii, pp. 95-96.]
In the thick of the attack, she noticed on the wall one of those long thin mortars, which, from the manner of its charging, was called a breechloader. Seeing it hurl stones on the very spot where the King's fair cousin was standing, she realised the danger, but not for herself. ”Move away,” she said quickly. ”That cannon will kill you.”
The Duke had not moved more than a few yards, when a n.o.bleman of Anjou, the Sire Du Lude, having taken the place he had quitted, was killed by a ball from that same cannon.[1211] The Duke of Alencon marvelled at her prophetic gift. Doubtless the Maid had been sent to save him, but she had not been sent to save the Sire Du Lude. The angels of the Lord are sent for the salvation of some, for the destruction of others. When the French King's men reached the wall, the Earl of Suffolk cried out for a parley with the Duke of Alencon.
No heed was paid to him and the a.s.sault continued.[1212]
[Footnote 1211: _Ibid._, pp. 96, 97. _Chronique de la Pucelle_, p.
301. _Journal du siege_, p. 97.]
[Footnote 1212: _Trial_, vol. iii, p. 97.]