Part 64 (1/2)

Of the six ecclesiastical peers, three replied to the summons of the king-at-arms,--the Archbishop Duke of Reims, the Bishop Count of Chalons, the Bishop Duke of Laon. For the missing bishops of Langres and Noyon were subst.i.tuted those of Seez and Orleans. In the absence of Arthur of Brittany, Constable of France, the sword was held by Charles, Sire d'Albret.[1505]

[Footnote 1505: Letters from three n.o.blemen of Anjou, in _Trial_, vol.

v, pp. 127, 129. Monstrelet, vol. iv, ch. lxiv. Perceval de Cagny, p.

159. _Relation du greffier de La Roch.e.l.le_, p. 343. _Chronique de Tournai_ (vol. iii of the _Recueil des chroniques de Flandre_), p.

414. _Gallia Christiana_, vol. ix, col. 551; vol. xi, col. 698.]

In front of the altar was Charles of Valois, wearing robes open on the chest and shoulders. He swore, first, to maintain the peace and privileges of the Church; second, to preserve his people from exactions and not to burden them too heavily; third, to govern with justice and mercy.[1506]

[Footnote 1506: _Chronique de la Pucelle_, p. 322, note 1.]

From his cousin d'Alencon he received the arms of a knight.[1507] Then the Archbishop anointed him with the holy oil, with which the Holy Ghost makes strong priests, kings, prophets and martyrs. So this new Samuel consecrated the new Saul, making manifest that all power is of G.o.d, and that, according to the example set by David, kings are pontiffs, the ministers and the witnesses of the Lord. This pouring out of the oil, with which the Kings of Israel were anointed, had rendered the kings of most Christian France burning and s.h.i.+ning lights since the time of Charlemagne, yea, even since the days of Clovis; for though it was baptism and confirmation rather than anointing that Clovis received at the hands of the Blessed Saint Remi, yet he was anointed Christian and King by the blessed bishop, and at the same time and with that same holy oil which G.o.d himself had sent to this prince and to his successors.[1508]

[Footnote 1507: Perceval de Cagny, p. 159. _Journal du siege_, p. 114.

_Chronique de la Pucelle_, p. 322. Jean Chartier, _Chronique_, vol. i, p. 97.]

[Footnote 1508: Chifletius, _De ampula Remensi nova et acurata disquisitio_, Antwerp, 1651, in 4to.]

And Charles received the anointing, the sign of power and victory, for it is written in the Book of Samuel:[1509] ”And Samuel took a vial of oil and poured it upon his head and kissed him, and said, 'Is it not because the Lord hath anointed thee to be captain over his inheritance and to deliver his people from their enemies round about. _Ecce unxit te Dominus super hereditatem suam in principem, et liberabis populum suum de manibus inimicorum ejus, qui in circuitu ejus sunt._'” (Reg.

1. x. 1. 6.)

[Footnote 1509: The first book of Kings according to the Vulgate (W.S.).]

During the mystery, as it was called in the old parlance,[1510] the Maid stayed by the King's side. Her white banner, before which the ancient standard of Chandos had retreated, she held for a moment unfurled. Then others in their turn held her standard, her page Louis de Coutes, who never left her, and Friar Richard the preacher, who had followed her to Chalons and to Reims.[1511] In one of her dreams she had lately given a crown to the King; she was looking for this crown to be brought into the church by heavenly messengers.[1512] Did not saints commonly receive crowns from angels' hands? To Saint Cecilia an angel offered a crown with garlands of roses and lilies. To Catherine, the Virgin, an angel gave an imperishable crown, which she placed upon the head of the Empress of Rome. But the crown curiously rich and magnificent that Jeanne looked for came not.[1513]

[Footnote 1510: Letter from three n.o.blemen of Anjou, in _Trial_, vol.

v, p. 129. F. Boyer, _Variante inedite d'un doc.u.ment sur le sacre de Charles VII_, Clermont and Orleans, 1881.]

[Footnote 1511: _Trial_, vol. i, pp. 104, 300. _Chronique de la Pucelle_, p. 322. Letter from three n.o.blemen of Anjou, in _Trial_, vol. v, p. 129. Varin, D. Marlot, H. Jadart, _loc. cit._]

[Footnote 1512: _Trial_, vol. i, p. 91.]

[Footnote 1513: See _post_, vol. i, p. 476.]

From the altar the Archbishop took the crown of no great value provided by the chapter, and with both hands raised it over the King's head. The twelve peers, in a circle round the prince, stretched forth their arms to hold it. The trumpets blew and the folk cried: ”Noel.”[1514]

[Footnote 1514: Letter from three n.o.blemen of Anjou, in _Trial_, vol.

v, p. 129.]

Thus was anointed and crowned Charles of France issue of the royal line of Priam, great Troy's n.o.ble King.

Two hours after noon the mystery came to an end.[1515] We are told that then the Maid knelt low before the King, and, weeping said:

[Footnote 1515: Morosini, vol. iii, p. 181. Letter from three n.o.blemen, _loc. cit._]

”Fair King, now is G.o.d's pleasure accomplished. It was His will that I should raise the siege of Orleans and bring you to this city of Reims to receive your holy anointing, making manifest that you are the true King and he to whom the realm of France should belong.”[1516]

[Footnote 1516: _Chronique de la Pucelle_, pp. 322, 323. _Journal du siege_, p. 114.]

The King made the customary gifts. To the Chapter he presented hangings of green satin as well as ornaments of red velvet and white damask. Moreover, he placed upon the altar a silver vase with thirteen golden crowns. Regardless of the claims a.s.serted by the canons, the Lord Archbishop took possession of it, but it profited him little, for he had to give it up.[1517] After the ceremony King Charles put the crown on his head and over his shoulders the royal mantle, blue as the sky, flowered with lilies of gold; and on his charger he pa.s.sed down the streets of Reims city. The people in great joy cried, ”Noel!”