A HEROINE OF FRANCE
The Story of Joan of Arc
by
EVELYN EVERETT-GREEN
Contents
CHAPTER I. HOW I FIRST HEARD OF THE MAID.
CHAPTER II. HOW I FIRST SAW THE MAID.
CHAPTER III. HOW THE MAID CAME TO VAUCOULEURS.
CHAPTER IV. HOW THE MAID WAS TRIED AND TESTED.
CHAPTER V. HOW THE MAID JOURNEYED TO CHINON.
CHAPTER VI. HOW THE MAID CAME TO THE KING.
CHAPTER VII. HOW THE MAID WAS HINDERED; YET MADE PREPARATION.
CHAPTER VIII. HOW THE MAID MARCHED FOR ORLEANS.
CHAPTER IX. HOW THE MAID ASSUMED COMMAND AT ORLEANS.
CHAPTER X. HOW THE MAID LED US INTO BATTLE.
CHAPTER XI. HOW THE MAID BORE TRIUMPH AND TROUBLE.
CHAPTER XII. HOW THE MAID RAISED THE SIEGE.
CHAPTER XIII. HOW THE MAID WON A NEW NAME.
CHAPTER XIV. HOW THE MAID CLEARED THE KING'S WAY.
CHAPTER XV. HOW THE MAID RODE WITH THE KING.
CHAPTER XVI. HOW THE MAID ACCOMPLISHED HER MISSION.
CHAPTER XVII. HOW THE MAID WAS PERSUADED.
CHAPTER XVIII. HOW I LAST SAW THE MAID.
CHAPTER I. HOW I FIRST HEARD OF THE MAID.
"The age of Chivalry--alas!--is dead. The days of miracles are past and gone! What future is there for hapless France? She lies in the dust. How can she hope to rise?"
Sir Guy de Laval looked full in our faces as he spoke these words, and what could one reply? Ah me!--those were sad and sorrowful days for France--and for those who thought upon the bygone glories of the past, when she was mistress of herself, held high her head, and was a power with hostile nations. What would the great Charlemagne say, could he see us now? What would even St. Louis of blessed memory feel, could he witness the changes wrought by only a century and a half? Surely it were enough to cause them to turn in their graves! The north lying supine at the feet of the English conqueror; licking his hand, as a dog licks that of his master, lost to all sense of shame that an English infant in his cradle (so to speak) should rule through a regent the fair realm of France, whilst its own lawful King, banished from his capital and from half his kingdom, should keep his Court at Bourges or Chinon, passing his days in idle revelry, heedless of the eclipse of former greatness, careless of the further aggressions threatened by the ever-encroaching foe.
Was Orleans to fall next into the greedy maw of the English adventurers? Was it not already threatened? And how could it be saved if nothing could rouse the King from his slothful indifference? O for the days of Chivalry!--the days so long gone by!
Table of contents (by pages)
- 1: A Heroine of France by Evelyn Everett-Green
- 2: The Seigneur Robert de Baudricourt of Vaucouleurs
- 3: He had told Laxart to bring her at noon that very day
- 4: One could no longer think upon her raiment
- 5: ' We all looked at De Baudricourt
- 6: Spoke Bertrand with subdued emotion
- 7: But Jeanne says that Orleans shall be saved
- 8: I did not forget my desire to see this maiden of Domremy
- 9: Answered Bertrand with grave and earnest countenance
- 10: We spoke no word to De Baudricourt of our intention
- 11: Her father was right wroth with her
- 12: So beloved of the children of Domremy
- 13: She knelt there amid the fallen leaves
- 14: How the maid came to vaucouleurs
- 15: De Baudricourt had been out with his dogs
- 16: And have you heard nought of the commotion going on there
- 17: She cannot go to the Dauphin yet
- 18: Why should I tell this to the Seigneur de Baudricourt
- 19: For I must needs satisfy De Baudricourt
- 20: Burst out De Baudricourt grimly
- 21: And stood before him where Bertrand placed her
- 22: Although he now faithfully promised to send her to Chinon
- 23: Albeit willing to send her with a small escort to Chinon
- 24: And was looking earnestly at De Baudricourt
- 25: That you are the Maid of Lorraine
- 26: How would De Baudricourt take it
- 27: He stood before De Baudricourt and spoke
- 28: After a hasty meal provided by De Baudricourt
- 29: O Blessed Saints Catherine and Margaret
- 30: We had with us a King's archer from Chinon
- 31: We approached the town of Fierbois
- 32: As she looked upon the towers of Chinon
- 33: The Maid had much to ask of Sir Guy
- 34: What was the disposition of the beleaguering force
- 35: It did bring back greatly to my mind that Castle of Chinon
- 36: And we were handed on from corridor to corridor
- 37: The Maid drew her hand from his
- 38: As we were thus speaking the Sieur de Boisi joined us
- 39: But De Boisi and De Laval looked doubtful
- 40: Here was a messenger sent from God
- 41: Or sought to baffle or entrap her
- 42: Calling herself throughout The Maid
- 43: And amongst these was a Scotchman called Hauves Polnoir
- 44: And thus you see your snowy raiment
- 45: This armour was of white metal
- 46: And a velvet scabbard made or found for the weapon
- 47: Where the great and redoubtable La Hire was to meet us
- 48: As they were upraised to La Hire's face
- 49: Fired by ardour at the thought of the promised deliverance
- 50: And to receive the Holy Sacrament
- 51: Which had been agreed upon beforehand with Dunois
- 52: There the chiefest citizens came hurrying to meet us
- 53: How the maid assumed command at orleans
- 54: It was without any real relish for them
- 55: And so do the townsfolk almost to a man
- 56: The blockading towers upon the southern bank
- 57: How would she bear this contradiction and veiled contempt
- 58: Let me make the tour of the battlements
- 59: Whom the French called Classidas
- 60: He had been one to depart and return with Dunois
- 61: Little Charlotte here pulled the Maid by the hand
- 62: Seized the staff of her banner
- 63: Who stood with uplifted sword and fluttering pennon
- 64: Dunois and La Hire rode up to the Maid and saluted
- 65: Loup were strong and well defended
- 66: She herself stood unmoved in the awful tumult
- 67: The Maid came victory rode beside her
- 68: Rapt in a mystery of thanksgiving and heavenly joy
- 69: But these bastilles were not the chiefest danger to the city
- 70: We shall then destroy their bastilles
- 71: Let the Generals decree what they will
- 72: Thou shalt not escape unscathed in warfare
- 73: Not only was Les Augustins ours
- 74: And Les Tourelles shall be ours
- 75: At the portal stood De Gaucourt
- 76: Les Tourelles itself must needs follow
- 77: De Gamache had his horse beside him
- 78: And when the silken folds touch the tower wall
- 79: Entrez de la part de Dieu all is yours
- 80: I have such great pity for their souls
- 81: Blushing now at the tumult of applause
- 82: Tomorrow must be a day of thanksgiving and praise
- 83: The English army marched away from Orleans
- 84: And journey forthwith to Rheims
- 85: And afterwards the Dauphin shall follow and be made King
- 86: The great charger was led whither the Maid had said
- 87: But all men remembered Orleans
- 88: The morrow saw us before Jargeau
- 89: A knightly figure in battered coat of mail
- 90: And when De Richemont fought like a lion at his side
- 91: And the fortresses cleared of foes
- 92: The Duc d'Alencon rode beside the Maid
- 93: The Dauphin must be brought to Rheims
- 94: This Maid speaks words of wisdom
- 95: In the midst of the smoke and vapour
- 96: Wherefore should I not be their friend and sister still
- 97: Order your army to assault this city of Troyes
- 98: Cried the happy and triumphant monarch
- 99: The town of Rheims lay before us
- 100: How can I tell of our entry into Rheims
- 101: Whom loyal little Domremy had ever served and loved
- 102: Of costly stuffs and rich decoration
- 103: In that most precious vial which
- 104: And so at last the King was anointed and crowned
- 105: There to receive your consecration
- 106: Exempting the village of Domremy
- 107: They have not bidden me return
- 108: And at this news the Maid suddenly drew her slender
- 109: Than has been permitted hitherto
- 110: Whispered Laxart distressfully to me
- 111: Exempting Domremy from all taxation
- 112: She knelt at his feet begging his blessing and forgiveness
- 113: Who in the end accomplished the hideous task
- 114: The Maid left her beautiful silver armour
- 115: Months had passed since the battle of Compiegne