Part 88 (1/2)

But suddenly espying the _G.o.dons_ from Venette advancing over the meadowland, they were seized with panic; to the cry of ”_Sauve qui peut!_” they broke into one mad rush and in utter rout reached the bank of the Oise. Some threw themselves into boats, others crowded round the bulwark of the Bridge. Thus they attracted the very misfortune they feared. For the English followed so hard on the fugitives that the defenders on the ramparts dared not fire their cannon for fear of striking the French.[2009]

[Footnote 2009: Perceval de Cagny, p. 176. Falconbridge, in _Trial_, vol. iv, p. 458. Monstrelet. Note concerning G. de Flavy; Lefevre de Saint-Remy, Chastellain, _loc. cit._]

The latter having forced the barrier of the bulwark, the English were about to enter on their heels, cross the bridge and pa.s.s into the town. The captain of Compiegne saw the danger and gave the command to close the town gate. The bridge was raised and the portcullis lowered.[2010]

[Footnote 2010: Note concerning G. de Flavy, _loc. cit._ Du Fresne de Beaucourt, _Jeanne d'Arc et Guillaume de Flavy_ in _Bulletin de la Societe de l'Histoire de France_, vol. iii, 1861, pp. 173 _et seq._ Z.

Rendu, _Jeanne d'Arc et G. de Flavy_, Compiegne, 1865, in 8vo, 32 pp.

A. Sorel, _La prise de Jeanne d'Arc_, p. 209. P. Champion, _Guillaume de Flavy_, appendix i, pp. 282, 286.]

In the meadow, Jeanne still laboured under the heroic delusion of victory. Surrounded by a little band of kinsmen and personal retainers, she was withstanding the Burgundians, and imagining that she would overthrow everything before her.

Her comrades shouted to her: ”Strive to regain the town or we are lost.”

But her eyes were dazzled by the splendour of angels and archangels, and she made answer: ”Hold your peace; it will be your fault if we are discomfited. Think of nought but of attacking them.”

And once again she uttered those words which were forever in her mouth: ”Go forward! They are ours!”[2011]

[Footnote 2011: Perceval de Cagny, p. 175.]

Her men took her horse by the bridle and forced her to turn towards the town. It was too late; the bulwarks commanding the bridge could not be entered: the English held the head of the causeway. The Maid with her little band was penned into the corner between the side of the bulwark and the embankment of the road. Her a.s.sailants were men of Picardy, who, striking hard and driving away her protectors, succeeded in reaching her.[2012] A bowman pulled her by her cloak of cloth of gold and threw her to the ground. They all surrounded her and together cried:

”Surrender!”

[Footnote 2012: Perceval de Cagny, p. 175. Chastellain, vol. ii, p. 49.

Jean Chartier, _Chronique_, vol. i, p. 122; vol. iii, p. 207.

Quicherat, _Apercus nouveaux_, p. 87.]

Urged to give her parole, she replied: ”I have plighted my word to another, and I shall keep my oath.”[2013]

[Footnote 2013: Perceval de Cagny, p. 176.]

One of those who pressed her said that he was of gentle birth. She surrendered to him.

He was an archer, by name Lyonnel, in the company of the b.a.s.t.a.r.d of Wandomme. Deeming that his fortune was made, he appeared more joyful than if he had taken a king.[2014]

[Footnote 2014: Letter from the Duke of Burgundy in _Trial_, vol. v, p.

166. Perceval de Cagny, p. 175. Monstrelet, vol. iv, p. 400. Lefevre de Saint-Remy, p. 175. Chastellain, vol. ii, p. 49. Note concerning G.

de Flavy, in _Trial_, vol. v, p. 174. Martial d'Auvergne, _Vigiles_, vol. i, p. 118. P. Champion, _loc. cit._, pp. 46, 49. Lanery d'Arc, _Livre d'Or_, pp. 513-518.]

With the Maid was taken her brother, Pierre d'Arc, Jean d'Aulon, her steward, and Jean d'Aulon's brother, Poton, surnamed the Burgundian.[2015] According to the Burgundians, the French in this engagement lost four hundred fighting men, killed or drowned;[2016] but according to the French most of the foot soldiers were taken up by the boats which were moored near the bank of the Oise.[2017]

[Footnote 2015: Richer, _Histoire ma.n.u.scrite de la Pucelle_, book iv, fol. 188 _et seq._ P. Champion, _loc. cit._ Proofs and ill.u.s.trations, x.x.xiii. Monstrelet, vol. iv, p. 388. Note concerning G. de Flavy, _loc. cit._ Letter from the Duke of Burgundy to the inhabitants of Saint-Quentin, _loc. cit._ _Journal d'un bourgeois de Paris_, p. 255.

Falconbridge, in _Trial_, vol. iv, p. 459.]

[Footnote 2016: According to _Le Journal d'un bourgeois de Paris_, p.

255, four hundred French were killed or drowned.]