Joan of Arc

At Domremy, a town situated close to the river Meuse, little Joan, the daughter of Jacques d'Arc, heard the tales of the war which was then devastating her country. Mercenary troops of the Duke of Armagnor fought in defense of King Charles VII. They were opposed by the soldiers of the Duke of Burgundy, allied with the English. Devastation and pillage followed in their wake. The peasantry passed their days in wretchedness and terror, hanging round the castles imploring aid and assistance. It was a constant din of battle, galloping horses and the clash of arms. All houses were solidly barred. Joan lived thus in the midst of trouble and anxiety. At times the sound of distinct and melodious bells reached her ears when tending her sheep and cattle in the meadows. She knelt for hours, listening to those mysterious and sweet sounds. One evening she heard a voice calling her in the sweetest tone imaginable. The maiden knelt; a great flood of light dazzled her. St. Michael was standing before the bewildered girl and spoke to her. His words sounded like music to her ear, "Beloved Joan, hearken to the duty that lies before thee. Go to Lord Baudricourt and then to the King. Ask for arms and soldiers, and fight the enemies of France." Some days later, St. Margaret and St. Catharine appeared to Joan and confirmed St. Michael's order, encouraging her and recommending, at the same time, virtue and resolution. Joan was now firmly assured of her mission. The Lord of Baudricourt receives Joan's supplication with derision. "I do not believe a word of all this," says he to Joan's uncle, who has accompanied her, "She is dismissed." Bertrand de Poulangy, a young man secretly in love with Joan, entreats her not to despair. He accompanies her on a second visit to the Lord of Vaucouleur and she finally succeeds. Baudricourt consents to furnish Joan with a small body of knights who will accompany her to the King. Joan, accompanied by Bertrand, puts on a coat of mail, girds her sword and mounting her steed rides at the head of her squires to the castle of Chinon, the actual residence of the King. More than three hundred barons and feudal lords of the realm were then assembled at the King's Court. Desirous of judging for himself whether Joan's mission was really inspired, the King disguises as a courtier, among whom he mixes. Joan enters amid the assemblage. Her rustic beauty causes quite a flutter; the ladies whisper, the knights admire her. Without the least hesitation, she walks st