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June-July, 1429

Gien, June 25-27

TO THE COUNCIL

WE MUST GO TO REIMS. When once the King is crowned and anointed, his enemies’ strength will steadily grow less, and finally they will have no power to harm him or the Kingdom.

TO THOSE WHO SPOKE OF THE DANGERS OF THE WAY

All this I know well, but I account it as nothing. By my staff! I shall lead noble King Charles and his company safely, and be shall be anointed in Reims!

TO CHARLES AND THE CAPTAINS

Go bravely: all will be well. Have no fear. We shall find none who can harm us; indeed, we shall meet with no resistance. I have no fear for lack of men. There will be many to follow me.

Letter, July 4

To the nobles and burgesses of Troyes

JHESUS MARIA

Very dear and good friends (if you do not prevent it), nobles, burgesses, and townsmen of the town of Troyes: Jehanne the Maid, on behalf of the King of Heaven, her rightful and sovereign Lord, in whose royal service she daily goes, sends this and bids you render true obedience and fealty to the noble King of France, who will very shortly be at Reims and Paris, whoever may come against him, and in his good towns of this holy Kingdom, by the help of King Jesus.

Loyal Frenchmen, come out to meet King Charles and let there be no defaulting. Nor if you do this, fear for your bodies or your goods. And, if you do not, I promise and declare to you, upon your lives, that by God’s help we shall enter into all the towns which should be of his holy Kingdom, and there make good and firm peace, whoever may come against us.

To God I commend you. God keep you if it be his pleasure. Make answer shortly.

Before the town of Troyes, written at Saint-Phal, Tuesday the fourth day of July.

Siege of Troyes, July 5-11

The people of Troyes, I think, sent Friar Richard out to me, saying that they doubted whether I was sent by God. And when he came out, he came towards me making the sign of the cross and sprinkling holy-water. And I said to him, “Come on bravely, I shall not fly away.”

TO CHARLES

Noble Dauphin, bid your men go and lay siege to Troyes, neither draw out further these overlong councils. In God’s name! within three days, I shall bring you into the town, either by friendship or by force. And false Burgundy will be much astonished.

HER SUMMONS

Yield you to the King of Heaven and to noble King Charles!

Châlons, July 14–15

TO GÉRARDIN D’ÉPINAL, OF DOMREMY

I fear nothing but treachery.

TO CHARLES

Go forward bravely. Fear nothing. If you will go forward like a man, you shall have your whole Kingdom!

Letter, July 17

To the Duke of Burgundy

JHESUS MARIA

High and redoubted prince, Duke of Burgundy: Jehanne the Maid begs you on behalf of the King of Heaven, my rightful and sovereign Lord, that the King of France and you make a good and firm peace which shall long endure. Forgive each other heartily and wholly, as loyal Christians should do; and, if it is your pleasure to make war, then go against the Saracens. Prince of Burgundy, I pray and beseech and beg you, as humbly as I can beg, to make war no longer in the holy Kingdom of France, and now and at once to order away your men who are in any places or fortresses of the said holy Kingdom. And for his part, the noble King of France is ready to make peace with you, saving his honor, if you do not prevent it.

And I give you to know on behalf of the King of Heaven, my rightful and sovereign Lord, for your good and honor and upon your life, that you will win no battle in France against loyal Frenchmen, and that all those who make war in the said holy Kingdom of France make war against King Jesus, King of Heaven and all the world, my rightful and sovereign Lord.

And, hands clasped, I pray you and beg you not to do battle nor make war against us—neither you, your soldiers, nor your subjects. And know surely that, whatever number of soldiers you bring against us, they will win nothing from us; and a pitiful thing will be that great battle and the blood that will be shed therein by those who come there against us.

It is three weeks now since I wrote to you and sent you a fair letter by a herald, that you should come to the King’s anointing, which is this day, Sunday, xviith day of this present month of July, being performed in the town of Reims: to which I have had no answer, nor heard any news since of the said herald.

To God I commend you, may he keep you if it be his pleasure. And I pray God to send us a good peace.

Written in the said place of Reims, the said xviith day of July.