Part 53 (1/2)
[Footnote 1249: _Journal du siege_, p. 101. _Chronique de la Pucelle_, p. 304. Jean Chartier, _Chronique_, vol. i, p. 83.]
The Duke of Alencon stationed sentinels in front of the castle to watch the English. Just then, he saw coming towards him, two n.o.bles of Brittany, the Lords of Rostrenen and of Kermoisan, who said to him: ”The Constable asks the besiegers for entertainment.”[1250]
[Footnote 1250: _Trial_, vol. iii, pp. 97, 98. Gruel, _Chronique de Richemont_, p. 70.]
Arthur of Brittany, Sire de Richemont, Constable of France, had spent the winter in Poitou waging war against the troops of the Sire de La Tremouille. Now in defiance of the King's prohibition the Constable came to join the King's men.[1251] He had crossed the Loire at Amboise and arrived before Beaugency with six hundred men-at-arms and four hundred archers.[1252] His coming caused the captains great embarra.s.sment. Some esteemed him a man of strong will and great courage. But many were dependent upon the Sire de La Tremouille, as for example the poor squire, Jean d'Aulon. The Duke of Alencon wanted to retreat, alleging that the King had commanded him not to receive the Constable.
[Footnote 1251: E. Cosneau, _Le connetable de Richemont_, pp. 93 _et seq._]
[Footnote 1252: _Trial_, vol. iii, pp. 315, 516. Jean Chartier, _Chronique_, vol. i, p. 84. _Journal du siege_, pp. 101, 102. Perceval de Cagny, p. 153.]
”If the Constable comes, I shall retire,” he said to Jeanne.
To the Breton n.o.bles he replied, that if the Constable came into the camp, the Maid, and the besiegers would fight against him.[1253]
[Footnote 1253: _Trial_, vol. iii, p. 98. E. Cosneau, _Le connetable de Richemont_, p. 168.]
So decided was he that he mounted his horse to ride straight up to the Bretons. The Maid, out of respect for him and for the King, was preparing to follow him. But many of the captains restrained the Duke of Alencon[1254] deeming that now was not the time to break a lance with the Constable of France.
[Footnote 1254: Gruel, _Chronique de Richemont_, pp. 70 _et seq._]
On the morrow a loud alarm was sounded in the camp. The heralds were crying: ”To arms!” The English were said to be approaching in great numbers. The young Duke still wanted to retreat in order to avoid receiving the Constable. This time Jeanne dissuaded him: ”We must stand together,” she said.[1255]
[Footnote 1255: _Trial_, vol. iii, p. 98.]
He listened to this counsel and went forth to meet the Constable, followed by the Maid, my Lord the b.a.s.t.a.r.d, and the Lords of Laval.
Near the leper's hospital at Beaugency they encountered a fine company. As they approached, a thick-lipped little man, dark and frowning, alighted from his horse.[1256] It was Arthur of Brittany.
The Maid embraced his knees as she was accustomed to do when holding converse with the great ones of heaven and earth. Thus did every baron when he met one n.o.bler than himself.[1257]
[Footnote 1256: Gruel, _Chronique de Richemont_, p. 71. Cf. E.
Cosneau, _Le connetable de Richemont_, pp. 169, 583. See a drawing in the Gaignieres collection reproduced by J. Lair, _Essai sur la bataille de Formigny_, 1903, 8vo.]
[Footnote 1257: _Lors le saluerent et le vinrent accoller par les jambes._ (Then they saluted him and embraced his knees.) J. de Bueil, _Le Jouvencel_, vol. i, p. 191.]
The Constable spoke to her as a good Catholic, a devout servant of G.o.d and the Church, saying: ”Jeanne, I have heard that you wanted to fight against me. Whether you are sent by G.o.d I know not. If you are I do not fear you. For G.o.d knows that my heart is right. If you are sent by the devil I fear you still less.”[1258]
[Footnote 1258: Gruel, _Chronique de Richemont_, pp. 71-72. I have here followed Gruel, who is not generally very trustworthy, but whose account in this particular seems probable, at least he is no mere hagiographer.]
He was ent.i.tled to speak thus, for he made a point of never acknowledging the devil's power over him. His love of G.o.d he showed by seeking out wizards and witches with a greater zeal than was displayed by bishops and inquisitors. In France, in Poitou, and in Brittany he had sent more to the stake than any other man living.[1259]
[Footnote 1259: _Ibid._, p. 228.]
The Duke of Alencon dared not either dismiss him or grant him a lodging for the night. It was the custom for new comers to keep the watch. The Constable with his company kept watch that night in front of the castle.[1260]
[Footnote 1260: _Ibid._, p. 72. E. Cosneau, _Le connetable de Richemont_, p. 170.]
Without more ado the young Duke of Alencon proceeded to the attack.
Here, again, those who bore the brunt of the attack and provided for the siege were the citizens of Orleans. The magistrates of the town had sent by water from Meung to Beaugency the necessary siege train, ladders, pickaxes, mattocks, and those great pent-houses beneath which the besiegers protected themselves like tortoises under their sh.e.l.ls.