Part 108 (2/2)
”It was sore pity for the realm of France.”[2395]
[Footnote 2395: _Ibid._, p. 184.]
Then did the examiner put to her this grave question: ”Do you hold yourself bound to answer the whole truth to the Pope, G.o.d's Vicar, on all that may be asked you touching religion and your conscience?”
”I demand to be taken before him. Then will I make unto him such answer as behoveth.”[2396]
[Footnote 2396: _Ibid._, pp. 184, 185.]
These words involved an appeal to the Pope, and such an appeal was lawful. ”In doubtful matters touching on religion,” said St. Thomas, ”there ought always to be an appeal to the Pope or to the General Council.” If Jeanne's appeal were not in regular judicial form, it was not her fault. She was ignorant of legal matters and neither guide nor counsel had been granted to her. To the best of her knowledge, and according to wont and justice, she appealed to the common father of the faithful.
The doctors and masters were silent. And thus was closed against the accused the one way of deliverance remaining to her. She was now hopelessly lost. It is not surprising that Jeanne's judges, who were partisans of England, ignored her right of appeal; but it is surprising that the doctors and masters of the French party, the clerks of the provinces loyal to King Charles, did not all and with one voice sign an appeal and demand that the Maid, who had been judged worthy by her examiners at Poitiers, should be taken before the Pope and the Council.
Instead of replying to Jeanne's request, the examiners inquired further concerning those much discussed magic rings and apparitions of demons.[2397]
[Footnote 2397: _Trial_, vol. i, p. 185.]
”Did you ever kiss and embrace the Saints, Catherine and Margaret?”
”I embraced them both.”
”Were they of a sweet savour?”
”It is well to know. Yea, their savour was sweet.”
”When embracing them did you feel heat or anything else?”
”I could not have embraced them without feeling and touching them.”
”What part did you kiss, face or feet?”
”It is more fitting to kiss their feet than their faces.”
”Did you not give them chaplets of flowers?”
”I have often done them honour by crowning with flowers their images in churches. But to those who appeared to me never have I given flowers as far as I can remember.”
”Know you aught of those who consort with fairies?”
”I have never done so nor have I known anything about them. Yet I have heard of them and that they were seen on Thursdays; but I do not believe it, and to me it seems sorcery.”[2398]
[Footnote 2398: _Trial_, vol. i, p. 187.]
Then came a question touching her standard, deemed enchanted by her judges. It elicited one of those epigrammatic replies she loved.
”Wherefore was your standard rather than those of the other captains carried into the church of Reims?”
”It had been in the contest, wherefore should it not share the prize?”[2399]
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