St. Joan of Arc's Trial of Nullification
Arrival at Chinon and the Trial at Poitiers
SIEUR DE GAUCOURT
(Raoul, not Jean, de Gaucourt, Grand Steward, born 1370. Fought,
in 1394, under the banner of Jean de Nevers, afterwards Duke of
Burgundy, for Sigmund, King of Hungary, against Bajazet; and was
knighted on the field of Nicopolis, from which only himself, his
leader, and twenty-two other French nobles escaped. He defended
Harfleur against Henry V., in 1415, and was a prisoner for ten
years, being one of those specially named by Henry in his dying
commands to Bedford as prisoners "to be kept." In 1425,
he was ransomed for the sum of 20,000 gold crowns; in 1427, he
aided Dunois at the victory of Montargis, and afterwards in the
defense of Orleans.)
I was at the Castle of the town of Chinon when Jeanne arrived
there, and I saw her when she presented herself before the King's
Majesty with great lowliness and simplicity ; a poor little shepherdess!
I heard her say these words: "Most noble Lord Dauphin, I
am come and am sent to you from God to give succor to the kingdom
and to you. "
After having seen and heard her, the King, so as to be better
instructed about her, put her under the protection of Guillaume
Bellier, his Major-Domo, my Lieutenant at Chinon, afterwards
Bailly of Troyes,
(Quicherat thinks there is an error of copy
here; that Bellier could not have been Bailly of Troyes when that
town was in the hands of the English, nor could he at any time
have combined so high an office with the lieutenancy of Chinon.)
whose wife was most devout and of the best reputation. Then he
had her visited by the Clergy, by Doctors, and by Prelates, to
know if he could lawfully put faith in her. Her deeds and words
were examined during three weeks, not only at Chinon, but at Poitiers.
The Examinations finished, the Clergy decided that there was nothing
evil in her deeds nor in her words. After numerous interrogations,
they ended by asking her what sign she could furnish, that her
words might be believed? "The sign I have to show,"
she replied, "is to raise the siege of Orleans!" Afterwards,
she took leave of the King, and came to Blois, where she armed
herself for the first time, to conduct a convoy of supplies to
Orleans and to succor the inhabitants.
[On the subject of the sudden change of wind and of the way in
which the convoy of supplies was brought into Orleans, the witness
deposed as the Sieur de Dunois. He added only this: Jeanne had
expressly predicted that, before long, the weather and the wind
would change; and it happened as she had foretold. She had, in
like manner, stated that the convoy would enter freely into the
town.
The declaration of the witness agrees equally with that of the
Sieur de Dunois as to the taking of the Bastille, the raising
of the siege, and the expulsion of the English.
On all the other points the Senior de Gaucourt is also in perfect
agreement, in matter and form, with the said Sieur de Dunois,
as to all that concerns the setting free of Orleans, the taking
of the camps and the towns on the borders of the Loire.
He agrees equally on all points with what concerns the journey
of the King for the ceremony of his consecration at Reims.
Jeanne, he adds, was abstemious in food and drink; nothing came
from her lips but excellent words, which could serve only for
edification and good example. No one could be more chaste, . .
. she had always at night a woman in her room. She confessed herself
frequently, being often in prayer, hearing Mass every day, and
constantly receiving the Sacrament of the Eucharist; she would
not suffer any to use in her presence shameful or blasphemous
words, and by her speech and actions she showed how much she held
such things in horror.]
MAÎTRE FRANÇOIS GARIVEL, Councilor-General to
the King.
I remember that, at the time of the coming of Jeanne the Maid,
the King sent her to Poitiers, where she lodged with Maître
Jean Rabateau, then King's Advocate in Parliament. In this town
of Poitiers were deputized [to examine Jeanne], by the King's
order, certain venerable Doctors and Masters, to wit, Pierre de
Versailles, then Abbot of Talmont, afterwards Bishop of Meaux;
Jean Lambort; Guillaume Aimery, of the Order of Saint Dominic;
Pierre Seguin, of the Carmelite Order Doctors in Theology; Mathieu
Message, and Guillaume Le Marie, Bachelors in Theology, with many
others of the King's Councilors, licentiates in Canon and Civil
Laws. Many times and often, during the space of three weeks, they
examined Jeanne, studying and considering her deeds and words;
and finally, taking into consideration her condition and her answers,
they said that she was a simple girl, who, when interrogated,
persisted in her answer, that she was sent from the God of Heaven
in favor of the noble Dauphin, to replace him in his kingdom,
to raise the siege of Orleans, and to conduct the King to Reims
for his consecration; and that first she must write to the English
and command them to retire, for such was the Will of God.
When I asked Jeanne why she called the King Dauphin, and not King,
she replied that she should not call him King till he had been
crowned and anointed at Reims, to which city she meant to conduct
him.
Afterwards, the Clergy told Jeanne she ought to show them a sign
by which it might be believed that she was sent from God; but
she replied: "The sign given to me from God is to raise the
siege of Orleans; I have no fear that it will be done, if the
King will give me soldiers, as few as he may like."
She was a simple shepherd-maiden, who confessed often; she was
entirely devoted to God, and frequently received the Sacrament
of the Eucharist.
At last, after long examinations made at great length by clerics
of various faculties, all decided and concluded that the King
might lawfully receive her, and might send a body of soldiers
to the siege of Orleans, for that there was nothing found in her
which was not Catholic and reasonable.
GUILLAUME DE RICARVILLE, Seigneur de Ricarville, Steward to
the King.
(Master of the Horse, Counselor and Steward to the Court. He
was made prisoner in 1437, but ransomed from the English for 500
crowns. In 1459, he was sent by Charles VII to Bordeaux, in order
to settle a dispute between the municipal authority and some English
ships. He was living in 1472, and in receipt of a pension from
Louis XI.)
I was in Orleans - then besieged by the English with the Count de
Dunois and many other captains, when news came that there had
passed through the town of Gien a shepherdess, called the Maid,
conducted by two or three gentlemen of Lorraine, from which country
she came; that this Maid said she was come to raise the siege
of Orleans, and that afterwards she would load the King to his
anointing; for thus had she been commanded by God.
Notwithstanding this, she was not readily received by the King,
who desired that she should first be examined, and that he should
know something of her life and estate, and if it were lawful for
him to receive her. Therefore, the Maid, by the King's order,
was examined by many Prelates, Doctors, and Clergy, who found
evidence in her of good life, honest estate, and praiseworthy
repute; nor was there nothing in her which should cause her to
be repelled.
She lived honorably, most soberly as to food and drink, was chaste
and devout, hearing Mass daily, and confessing often, communicating
with fervent devotion every week. She reproved the soldiers when
they blasphemed or took God's Name in vain; also when they did
any evil or violence. I never observed in her nothing deserving
reproof, and from her manner of life and actions I believe she
was inspired by God.
MAITRE REGINALD THIERRY, Dean of the Church of Meung-sur-Yévre;
Surgeon to the King.
I saw Jeanne with the King at Chinon, and heard what she said
; to wit, that she was sent from God to the noble Dauphin, to
raise the Siege of Orleans, and to conduct the King to his anointing
and coronation.
When the town of Saint-Pierre-le-Moustier was taken, by assault,
Jeanne being there, the soldiers wanted to pillage the Church
and to seize the sacred vessels and other treasure there hidden;
but Jeanne prohibited and forbade them with great energy, so that
nothing was taken away.
GOBERT THIBAUT, Squire to the King of France.
I was at Chinon when Jeanne came to seek the King, who was then
residing in that city. Before this, I knew nothing of her; but
henceforward I had more acquaintance with her, for, when I went
with the King to the town of Poitiers, Jeanne was also taken thither
and lodged in the house of Jean Rabateau. I know that Jeanne was
questioned and examined in the town of Poitiers by the late Maitre
S.T.P. I went with them by the command of the late Lord Bishop
of Castres. As I have said, she was living in the house of Rabateau,
in which house de Versailles and Erault talked with her in my
presence. When we arrived at her house, Jeanne came to meet us,
and striking me on the shoulder said to me that she would gladly
have many men of such good-will as I. Then Maitre Pierre de Versailles
told Jeanne that he had been sent to her from the King. She replied:
"I well believe that you have been sent to question me, " adding,
"I know neither A nor B."
Then she was asked by them for what she had come. She replied;
"I am come from the King of Heaven to raise the siege of
Orleans and to conduct the King to Reims for his crowning and
anointing" And then she asked if they had paper and ink,
saying to Maitre Jean Erault: "Write what I say to you. You,
Suffolk, Classidas, and La Poule, I summon you by order of the
King of Heaven to go back to England." Versailles and Erault
did nothing more on this occasion, so far as I remember. Jeanne
remained in the town of Poitiers as long as the King did.
Jeanne said that her Counsel had told her she should have gone
more quickly to the King. I saw those who had brought her Jean
de Metz, Jean Coulon, and Bertrand Pollichon,
(A nickname of
Poulengey.)
with whom I was very friendly and familiar. I was
present one day when they told the late Bishop of Castres then
Confessor to the King that they had traveled through Burgundy
and places occupied by the enemy, yet had they always traveled
without hindrance, at which they much marveled.
I heard the aforesaid Confessor say that he had discovered in
a writing that there should come a maiden who would aid the Kingdom
of France.
I do not know whether Jeanne was examined otherwise than as aforesaid.
I heard the said Lord Confessor and other Doctors say that they
believed Jeanne to be sent from God, and that they believed it
was she of whom the prophecies spoke; because, seeing her actions,
her simplicity, and conduct, they thought the King might be delivered
through her [aid]; for they had neither found nor perceived nothing
but good in her, nor could they see anything contrary to the Catholic
faith.
On the day that the Lord Talbot, who had been taken at Patay,
was brought to the town of Beaugency, I arrived at that town;
and from thence Jeanne went with the men-at-arms to Jargeau, which
was taken by assault, and the English were put to flight.
Jeanne assembled an army between Troyes and Auxerre, and found
large numbers there, for every one followed her. The King and
his people came without hindrance to Reims. Nowhere was the King
turned back, for the gates of all cities and towns opened themselves
to him.
SIMON BAUCROIX, Squire.
It was Jeanne's intention that the army should go towards the
Fort or Bastille of Saint-Jean-le-Blanc: but this was not done;
and they went to a place between Orleans and Jargeau, whither
the inhabitants of Orleans sent boats to receive the provisions
and to take them into the town; and the said provisions were put
into the boats and brought into the town. And because the army
was not able to cross the Loire, it was decided to return and
cross the river at Blois : for there was no bridge nearer within
the King's jurisdiction. At this Jeanne was very indignant, fearing
they would not be willing to fall back, and so would leave the
work unfinished. Neither could she go with them to Blois; but
she crossed the river with about 200 lances in boats to the other
bank, and entered Orleans by land. The Marshal de Boussac went
that night to seek the King's army which had gone to Blois; and
I remember that shortly before the arrival of the said Marshal
at Orleans, Jeanne said to Sieur Jean d'Aulon that the Marshal
would arrive, and that she knew well he would come to no harm.
When Jeanne was in her lodging, she, being led by the Spirit,
cried out: "In God's Name! our people are hard pressed."
Then she sent for a horse; and, arming herself, she went to the
Fort of Saint Loup, where there was an assault being made by the
King's people on the English: and no sooner had Jeanne joined
in the attack, than the fort was taken.
The next day the French in company with Jeanne went to attack
the Fort of Saint-Jean-le-Blanc, and drew near to the island;
and when the English saw that the King's army had crossed the
water, they quitted the Fort of Saint-Jean-le-Blanc, and retreated
to another fort near the Augustins. And there I saw the King's
army in great peril. "Let us advance boldly in God's Name,"
said Jeanne: and they advanced on the English, who, now in much
danger, held their three forts.
(These three forts were on
the left bank of the Loire; the fort of the Tourelles, of the
Augustins, and of Saint-Privé were further west.)
At
once, without much difficulty, this fort of the Augustins was
taken; and the captains then advised Jeanne to re-enter Orleans;
but this she would not do, saying, "Shall we leave our men?"
The next day they attacked the fort at the end of the bridge,
which was very strong and almost impregnable, so that the King's
army had much to do; and the attack lasted the whole day, up to
nightfall. I saw the Senoschal of Beaucaire blow up the bridge
with a bombard. When evening came and they despaired of gaining
the fort, orders were given that Jeanne's standard should be brought
to the fort; and this being done another attack was made on the
fort, and thereupon without much difficulty the King's army entered
with the standard; and the English fled, in such manner that when
they reached the end of the bridge it broke down beneath them,
and many were drowned.
The next day the King's army sallied out to give battle to the
English; but, on seeing the French, they fled. When Jeanne saw
them in flight and the French following after, she said to the
French: " Let the English go, and slay them not; let them
go; it is enough for me that they have retreated." On that
day, they escaped from the city of Orleans and turned back on
Blois, which they reached the same day.
Jeanne stayed there two or three days; and from there she went
to Tours, and to Loches, where the King's army was preparing to
go to Jargeau; and from thence they went to attack that town.
In war time, she would not permit any of those in her company
to steal anything; nor would she ever eat of food which she knew
to be stolen. Once, a Scot told her that he had eaten of a stolen
calf: she was very angry, and wanted to strike the Scot for so
doing.
She would never permit women of ill-fame to follow the army. None
of them dared to come into her presence; but, if any of them appeared,
she made them depart unless the soldiers were willing to marry
them.
She was good not only to the French, but also to the enemy. All
this I know of a surety, for I was for a long time with her, and
many times assisted in arming her.
Jeanne lamented much, and was displeased when certain good women
came to her, wishing to salute her: it seemed to her like adoration,
at which she was angered.
MAÎTRE JEAN BARBIN, Doctor of Laws, King's Advocate.
I was sent to Poitiers, where I saw Jeanne for the first time.
When she arrived at the town she was lodged in the house of Maitre
Jean Rabateau; and while there I have heard the wife of Rabateau
say that every day after dinner she was for a long time on her
knees, and also at night; and that she often went into a little
Oratory in the house and there prayed for a long time. Many clergy
came to visit her, - to wit, Maitre Pierre de Versailles, S.T.P.,
sometime Bishop of Meaux, and Maitre Guillaume Aimery, S.T.P.
There were also other graduates in theology, whose names I do
not remember, who questioned her in like manner at their will.
I heard from these said Doctors that they had examined her and
put many questions, to which she replied with much prudence, as
if she had been a trained divine; that they marveled at her answers,
and believed that, taking into account her life and conversation,
there must have been in her something divine.
In the course of these deliberations Maitre Jean Erault stated
that he had heard it said by Marie d'Avignon,
(A woman called
"la gasque d'Avignon," whose predictions made much stir
at the beginning of the fifteenth century.)
who had formerly
come to the King, that she had told him that the kingdom of France
had much to suffer and many calamities to bear: saying moreover
that she had had many visions touching the desolation of the kingdom
of France, and amongst others that she had seen much armor which
had been presented to her; and that she was alarmed, greatly fearing
that she should be forced to take it; but it had been said to
her that she need fear nothing, that this armor was not for her,
but that a maiden who should come afterwards would bear these
arms and deliver the kingdom of France from the enemy. And he
believed firmly that Jeanne was the maiden of whom Marie d'Avignon
thus spoke.
All the soldiers held her as sacred. So well did she bear herself
in warfare, in words and in deeds, as a follower of God, that
no evil could be said of her. I heard Maitre Pierre de Versailles
say that he was once in the town of Loches in company with Jeanne,
when the people, throwing themselves before the feet of her horse,
kissed her hands and feet; and he said to Jeanne that she did
wrong to allow what was not due to her, and that she ought to
protect herself from it lest men should become idolatrous; to
which she answered: "In truth, I know not how to protect
myself, if God does not protect me."
DAME MARGUERITE LA TOUROULDE, widow of the late Réné
de Bouligny, Councilor to the King.
I was at Bourges when Jeanne arrived at Chinon, where the Queen
was. In those days there was in the kingdom - especially in that
part still obedient to the King - such great calamity and penury
as was sad to see; so that the followers of the King were almost
in despair: and this I know, because my husband was then Receiver-General,
and at that time neither of the King's money nor of his own had
he four crowns.
The town of Orleans was in the hands of the King, and there was
no way of help. And in this calamity came Jeanne, and I firmly
believe that she came from God and was sent for the relief of
the King and his faithful subjects, who were then without hope
save in God.
I did not see Jeanne until the time when the King came from Reims,
where he was consecrated. He came to Bourges, where was the Queen,
and I with her. When the King approached, the Queen went to meet
him as far as the town of Selles-en-Berry, and I accompanied her.
While the Queen was on the way, Jeanne encountered and saluted
her, and was then taken on to Bourges, and by command of my Lord
d'Albret lodged in my house, although my husband had said that
she was to be lodged with a certain Jean Duchesne.
She remained with me for the space of three weeks, sleeping, drinking
and eating [in the house]. Nearly every night I slept with her,
nor did I ever perceive nothing of evil in her, but she comported
herself as a worthy and Catholic woman, often confessing herself,
willingly hearing Mass, and many times asking me to accompany
her to Matins, which at her request I often did. We often talked
together, and I would say to her: " If you do not fear to
go to the attack, it is because you know that you will not be
killed": to which she would reply that she had no greater
security than other soldiers. Sometimes Jeanne would tell me how
she had been examined by the Clergy, and that she had made them
the answer: "There are books of Our Lord's besides what you
have."
I heard from those that brought her to the King that at first
they thought she was mad, and intended to put her away in some
ditch, but while on the way they felt moved to do everything according
to her good pleasure. They were as impatient to present her to
the King, as she was to meet him, nor could they resist her wishes.
They testified as others did to the purity of her conduct and
influence. Jeanne told me that the Duke de Lorraine who was ill,
wished to see her, that she talked with him, and told him that
he was not living well, and that he would never be cured unless
he amended; also she exhorted him to take back his good wife.
(The devoted Margaret of Bavaria, who was separated from him
on account of his evil life.)
Jeanne had great horror of dice.
I remember that many women came to my house while Jeanne was living
there, and brought Pater Nosters and other religious objects that
she might touch them; but Jeanne laughed, saying: "Touch
them yourselves. Your touch will do them as much good as mine. "
Jeanne was very liberal in almsgiving, and willingly succored
the poor and indigent, saying that she had been sent for their
consolation. I have no doubt that she was virgin. According to
my knowledge she was quite innocent, unless it be in warfare.
She rode on horseback and handled the lance like the best of the
knights, and the soldiers marveled.
SIMON CHARLES, President of the Council.
The year in which Jeanne came to seek the King was the very year
in which the King sent me as ambassador to Venice. I returned
about the month of March, at which time I heard from Jean de Metz,
who had conducted her, that she had visited the King. When Jeanne
came to Chinon, there was discussion in the Council as to whether
the King should hear her or not. And first she was questioned
as to why and to what end she had come; and she began by replying
that she would answer nothing except to the King.
She was compelled, by order of the King, to state the cause of
her mission. She said she had two commands from the King of Heaven:
the one to raise the siege of Orleans, the other to conduct the
King to Reims for his coronation and anointing.
Hearing this, some of the King's Council said that the King ought
not to put faith in this Jeanne; others said that, as she declared
she was sent from God and commanded to speak to the King, the
King should at least hear her. The King desired that she should
first be examined by the Clergy and Ecclesiastics, and this was
done; after many difficulties it was arranged that the King should
hear her. I have heard the Seigneur de Gaucourt relate that, when
she was at Orleans, the King's people had decided it was not well
to make the attack. This happened on the day when the Fort of
the Augustins was taken and he, de Gaucourt, had been commissioned
to guard the gates of the town that none should go out. Jeanne,
discontented with the orders of the generals, was of opinion that
the King's soldiers with the people of the town should go out
and attack the fort; and many of the soldiers and people of the
city agreed with her. Jeanne told de Gaucourt that he was a bad
man, saying to him: "Whether you will or no, the soldiers
shall come; and they will succeed this time as they have succeeded
before." And, against the will of the said Lord de Gaucourt,
the soldiers left the city and marched to the assault of the Bastille
of the Augustins, which was taken by force. My Lord de Gaucourt
added that he had come that day into great peril.
The King made a treaty with the people of Troyes, and entered
the town of Troyes in great array, Jeanne carrying her banner
by his side. Shortly after, the King left Troyes and went with
his army to Chalons, and thence to Reims. When the King feared
to find resistance at Reims, Jeanne said to him: " Have no
fear! for the burghers of the city will come out to meet you;"
and she said that, before he got near the city of Reims, the burgesses
would meet him. The King feared their resistance because he had
no artillery or engines for carrying on a siege, in case they
should prove rebellious. Jeanne told him that he must go forward
boldly and fear nothing, for if he would go forward like a man
he would soon obtain all his kingdom.
BROTHER SEGUIN DE SEGUIN, Dominican, Professor of Theology,
Dean of the Faculty of Theology of Poitiers.
I saw Jeanne for the first time at Poitiers. The King's Council
was assembled in the house of the Lady La Macée, the Archbishop
of Reims, then Chancellor of France, being of their number. I
was summoned, as also were Jean Lombart, Professor of Theology
of the University of Paris; Maitre Guillaume le Maire, Canon of
Poitiers and Bachelor in Theology; Maitre Guillaume Aymerie, Professor
of Theology, of the Order of Saint Dominic; Brother Pierre Turrelure;
Maître Jacques Maledon; and many others whose names I do
not remember. The Members of the Council told us that we were
summoned, in the King's name, to question Jeanne and to give our
opinion upon her. We were sent to question her at the house of
Maître Jean Rabateau, where she was lodging. We repaired
thither and interrogated her.
Among other questions, Maitre Jean Lombart asked her why she had
come; that the King wished to know what had induced her to come
to him. She answered, in a grand manner, that "there had
come to her, while she was minding the cattle, a Voice, which
told her that God had great compassion for the people of France,
and that she must go into France." On hearing this, she began
to weep; the Voice then told her to go to Vaucouleurs, where she
would find a Captain who would conduct her safely into France
and to the King, and that she must not be afraid. She had done
what the Voice had ordered, and had come to the King without meeting
any obstacle.
Thereupon, Guillaume Aymerie put to her this question: "You
assert that a Voice told you, God willed to deliver the people
of France from the calamity in which they now are; but, if God
wills to deliver them, it is not necessary to have soldiers."
" In God's Name !" Jeanne replied, "the soldiers
will fight, and God will give the victory." With which answer
Maître Guillaume was pleased.
I, in my turn, asked Jeanne what dialect the Voice spoke? "A
better one than yours," she replied. I speak the Limousin
dialect. "Do you believe in God ?" I asked her. "
In truth, more than yourself!" she answered. " But God
wills that you should not be believed unless there appear some
sign to prove that you ought to be believed; and we shall not
advise the King to trust in you, and to risk an army on your simple
statement." "In God's Name! " she replied, "I
am not come to Poitiers to show signs : but send me to Orleans,
where I shall show you the signs by which I am sent: and she added:
"Send me men in such numbers as may seem good, and I will
go to Orleans."
And then she foretold to us - to me and to all the others who were
with me - these four things which should happen, and which did afterwards
come to pass: first, that the English would be destroyed, the
siege of Orleans raised, and the town delivered from the English;
secondly, that the King would be crowned at Reims; thirdly, that
Paris would be restored to his dominion; and fourthly, that the
Duke d'Orleans should be brought back from England. And I who
speak, I have in truth seen these four things accomplished.
We reported all this to the Council of the King; and we were of
opinion that, considering the extreme necessity and the great
peril of the town, the King might make use of her help and send
her to Orleans.
Besides this, we inquired into her life and morals; and found
that she was a good Christian, living as a Catholic, never idle.
In order that her manner of living might be better known, women
were placed with her who were commissioned to report to the Council
her actions and ways.
As for me, I believed she was sent from God, because, at the time
when she appeared, the King and all the French people with him
had lost hope: no one thought of nothing but to save himself.
I remember that Jeanne was asked why she always marched with a
banner in her hand? "Because," she answered, "I
do not wish to use my sword, nor to kill any one."
When she heard any one taking in vain the Name of God, she was
very angry; she held such blasphemies in horror: and Jeanne told
La Hire, who used many oaths and swore by God, that he must swear
no more, and that, when he wanted to swear by God, he should swear
by his staff. And afterwards, indeed, when he was with her, La
Hire never swore but by his staff.
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