The Life of Joan of Arc Part 87

The Duke of Burgundy easily took Gournay-sur-Aronde, and then laid siege to Choisy-sur-Aisne, also called Choisy-au-Bac, at the junction of the Aisne and the Oise.[1986]

[Footnote 1986: Monstrelet, vol. iv, pp. 379, 381. _Chronique des cordeliers_, fol. 495 recto. _Livre des trahisons_, p. 202.]

The Gascon squire, Poton de Saintrailles and the men of his company crossed the Aisne between Soissons and Choisy, surprised the besiegers, and retired immediately, taking with them sundry prisoners.[1987]

[Footnote 1987: Monstrelet, vol. iv, pp. 382, 383. Berry, in _Trial_, vol. iv, p. 49.]

On the 13th of May, the Maid entered Compiegne, where she lodged in the Rue de l'Etoile.[1988] On the morrow, the Attorneys[1989] offered her four pots of wine.[1990] They thereby intended to do her great honour, for they did no more for the Lord Archbishop of Reims, Chancellor of the realm, who was then in the town with the Count of Vendome, the King's lieutenant and divers other leaders of war. These n.o.ble lords resolved to send artillery and other munitions to the Castle of Choisy, which could not hold out much longer;[1991] and now, as before, the Maid was made use of.

[Footnote 1988: According to a note by Dom Bertheau, in A. Sorel, _Sejours de Jeanne d'Arc a Compiegne, maisons ou elle a loge en 1429 et 1430_, with view and plans, Paris, 1888, in 8vo, pp. 11, 12.]

[Footnote 1989: Magistrates of the town. Cf. _ante_, p. 34, note 3.]

[Footnote 1990: _Accounts of the town of Compiegne_, CC 13, folio 291.

Dom Gillesson, _Antiquites de Compiegne_, vol. v, p. 95. A. Sorel, _La prise de Jeanne d'Arc_, p. 145, note 3.]

[Footnote 1991: Choisy surrendered on the 16th of May. _Chronique des cordeliers_, fol. 497, verso. _Livre des trahisons_, p. 201.

Monstrelet, vol. iv, p. 382. Berry, in _Trial_, vol. iv, p. 49. A.

Sorel, _La prise de Jeanne d'Arc_, pp. 145, 146. P. Champion, _Guillaume de Flavy_, pp. 40-41, 162-163.]

The army marched towards Soissons in order to cross the Aisne.[1992]

The captain of the town was a squire of Picardy, called by the French Guichard Bournel, by the Burgundians Guichard de Thiembronne; he had served on both sides. Jeanne knew him well; he reminded her of a painful incident. He had been one of those, who finding her wounded in the trenches before Paris, had insisted on putting her on her horse against her will. On the approach of King Charles's barons and men-at-arms, Captain Guichard made the folk of Soissons believe that the whole army was coming to encamp in their town. Wherefore they resolved not to receive them. Then happened what had already befallen at Senlis: Captain Bournel received the Lord Archbishop of Reims, the Count of Vendome and the Maid, with a small company, and the rest of the army abode that night outside the walls.[1993] On the morrow, failing to obtain command of the bridge, they endeavoured to ford the river, but without success; for it was spring and the waters were high. The army had to turn back. When it was gone, Captain Bournel sold to the Duke of Burgundy the city he was charged to hold for the King of France; and he delivered it into the hand of Messire Jean de Luxembourg for four thousand golden _saluts_.[1994]

[Footnote 1992: Berry, in _Trial_, vol. iv, pp. 49, 50.]

[Footnote 1993: F. Brun, _Jeanne d'Arc et le capitaine de Soissons en 1430_, Soissons, 1904, p. 5 (extract from _l'Argus Soissonnais_). P.

Champion, _loc. cit._, p. 41.]

[Footnote 1994: Berry, in _Trial_, vol. iv, p. 50. P. Champion, _loc.

cit._, p. 168. Proofs and ill.u.s.trations, x.x.xv, p. 168. F. Brun, _Nouvelles recherches sur le fait de Soissons (Jeanne d'Arc et Bournel en 1430) a propos d'un livre recent_, Meulan, 1907, in 8vo.]

At the tidings of this treacherous and dishonourable action on the part of the Captain of Soissons, Jeanne cried out that if she had him, she would cut his body into four pieces, which was no empty imagining of her wrath. As the penalty of certain crimes it was the custom for the executioner, after he had beheaded the condemned, to cut his body in four pieces, which was called quartering. So that it was as if Jeanne had said that the traitor deserved quartering. The words sounded hard to Burgundian ears; certain even believed that they heard Jeanne in her wrath taking G.o.d's name in vain. They did not hear correctly. Never had Jeanne taken the name of G.o.d or of any of his saints in vain. Far from swearing when she was angered, she used to exclaim: "G.o.d's good will!" or "Saint John!" or "By Our Lady!"[1995]

[Footnote 1995: _Trial_, vol. i, p. 273.]

Before Soissons, Jeanne and the generals separated. The latter with their men-at-arms went to Senlis and the banks of the Marne. The country between the Aisne and the Oise was no longer capable of supporting so large a number of men or such important personages.

Jeanne and her company wended their way back to Compiegne.[1996]

Scarcely had she entered the town when she sallied forth to ravage the neighbourhood.

[Footnote 1996: I have rejected the story told by Alain Bouchard of Jeanne's meeting with the little children in the Church of Saint Jacques. (_Les grandes croniques de Bretaigne_, Paris, Galliot Du Pre, 1514, fol. cclx.x.xi.) M. Pierre Champion (_Guillaume de Flavy_, p. 283) has irrefutably demonstrated its unauthenticity.]

For example, she took part in an expedition against Pont-l'Eveque, a stronghold, some distance from Noyon, occupied by a small English garrison, commanded by Lord Montgomery.

The Burgundians, who were besieging Compiegne, made Pont-l'Eveque their base. In the middle of May, the French numbering about a thousand, commanded by Captain Poton, by Messire Jacques de Chabannes and divers others, and accompanied by the Maid, attacked the English under Lord Montgomery, and the battle was pa.s.sing fierce. But the enemy, being relieved by the Burgundians of Noyon, the French must needs beat a retreat. They had slain thirty of their adversaries and had lost as many, wherefore the combat was held to have been right sanguinary.[1997] There was no longer any question of crossing the Aisne and saving Choisy.

[Footnote 1997: Monstrelet, vol. iv, p. 382. Lefevre de Saint-Remy, vol. ii, p. 178. _Chronique des cordeliers_, fol. 498 verso.]

After returning to Compiegne, Jeanne, who never rested for a moment, hastened to Crepy-en-Valois, where were gathering the troops intended for the defence of Compiegne. Then, with these troops, she marched through the Forest of Guise, to the besieged town and entered it on the 23rd, at daybreak, without having encountered any Burgundians.

There were none in the neighbourhood of the Forest, on the left bank of the Oise.[1998]

[Footnote 1998: _Trial_, vol. i, p. 114. Perceval de Cagny, p. 174.

Extract from a note concerning G. de Flavy, in _Trial_, vol. v, p.

176. Morosini, vol. iii, p. 296, note 1.]

They were all on the other side of the river. There meadowland extends for some three-quarters of a mile, while beyond rises the slope of Picardy. Because this meadow was low, damp and frequently flooded, a causeway had been built leading from the bridge to the village of Margny, which rose on the steep slope of the hill. Some two miles up the river there towered the belfry of Clairoix, at the junction of the Aronde and the Oise. On the opposite bank rose the belfry of Venette, about a mile and a quarter lower down, towards Pont-Sainte-Maxence.[1999]

[Footnote 1999: Ma.n.u.script map of Compiegne in 1509, in Debout, _Jeanne d'Arc_, vol. ii, p. 293. Plan of the town of Compiegne, engraved by Aveline in the 17th century, reduction published by _La Societe historique de Compiegne_, May, 1877. Lambert de Ballyhier, _Compiegne historique et monumental_, 1842, 2 vols. in 8vo, engravings. Plan of the rest.i.tution of the town of Compiegne in 1430, in A. Sorel, _La prise de Jeanne d'Arc_. P. Champion, _Guillaume de Flavy_, p. 43.]

A little band of Burgundians commanded by a knight, Messire Baudot de Noyelles, occupied the high ground of the village of Margny. Most renowned among the men of war of the Burgundian party was Messire Jean de Luxembourg. He with his Picards was posted at Clairoix, on the banks of the Aronde, at the foot of Mount Ganelon. The five hundred English of Lord Montgomery watched the Oise at Venette. Duke Philip occupied Coudun, a good two and a half miles from the town, towards Picardy.[2000] Such dispositions were in accordance with the precepts of the most experienced captains. It was their rule that when besieging a fortified town a large number of men-at-arms should never be concentrated in one spot, in one camp, as they said. In case of a sudden attack, it was thought that a large company, if it has but one base, will be surprised and routed just as easily as a lesser number, and the disaster will be grievous. Wherefore it is better to divide the besiegers into small companies and to place them not far apart, in order that they may aid one another. In this wise, when those of one body are discomfited those of another have time to put themselves in battle array for their succour. While the a.s.sailants are sore aghast at seeing fresh troops come down upon them, those who are being attacked take heart of grace. At any rate such was the opinion of Messire Jean de Bueil.[2001]

[Footnote 2000: Monstrelet, vol. iv, pp. 383, 384.]

[Footnote 2001: _Le Jouvencel_, vol. ii, p. 196.]

That same day, the 23rd of May, towards five o'clock in the evening[2002] riding a fine dapple-grey horse, Jeanne sallied forth, across the bridge, on to the causeway over the meadow. With her were her standard-bearer and her company of Lombards, Captain Baretta and his three or four hundred men, both horse and foot, who had entered Compiegne by night. She was girt with the Burgundian sword, found at Lagny, and over her armour she wore a surcoat of cloth of gold.[2003]

Such attire would have better beseemed a parade than a sortie; but in the simplicity of her rustic and religious soul she loved all the pompous show of chivalry.

[Footnote 2002: _Trial_, vol. i, p. 116. Letter from Philippe le Bon to the inhabitants of Saint-Quentin, _Trial_, vol. v, p. 166. Letter from Philippe le Bon to Amedee, Duke of Savoy in P. Champion, _loc. cit._ Proofs and ill.u.s.trations, x.x.xvii. Falconbridge, in _Trial_, vol. iv, p. 458. William Worcester, in _Trial_, vol. iv, p. 475, and _Le Journal d'un bourgeois de Paris_, p. 255.]

[Footnote 2003: _Trial_, vol. i, pp. 78, 223, 224. Chastellain, vol.

ii, p. 49. The Clerk of the Brabant _Chambre des Comptes_, in _Trial_, vol. iv, p. 428.]

The enterprise had been concerted between Captain Baretta, the other leaders of the party and Messire Guillaume de Flavy. The last-named, in order to protect the line of retreat for the French, had posted archers, cross-bowmen, and cannoneers at the head of the bridge, while on the river he launched a number of small covered boats, intended if need were to bring back as many men as possible.[2004] Jeanne was not consulted in the matter; her advice was never asked. Without being told anything she was taken with the army as a bringer of good luck; she was exhibited to the enemy as a powerful enchantress, and they, especially if they were in mortal sin, feared lest she should cast a spell over them. Certain there were doubtless on both sides, who perceived that she did not greatly differ from other women;[2005] but they were folk who believed in nothing, and that manner of person is always outside public opinion.

[Footnote 2004: Notes concerning G. de Flavy, in _Trial_, vol. v, p.

177. _Chronique de Tournai_, in _Recueil des Chroniques de Flandre_, 1856, vol. iii, pp. 415, 416.]

[Footnote 2005: Chastellain, vol. ii, p. 49.]

This time she had not the remotest idea of what was to be done. With her head full of dreams, she imagined she was setting forth for some great and n.o.ble emprise. It is said that she had promised to discomfit the Burgundians and bring back Duke Philip prisoner. But there was no question of that; Captain Baretta and those who commanded the soldiers of fortune proposed to surprise and plunder the little Burgundian outpost, which was nearest the town and most accessible. That was Margny, and there on a steep hill, which might be reached in twenty or twenty-five minutes along the causeway, was stationed Messire Baudot de Noyelles. The attempt was worth making. The taking of outposts const.i.tuted the perquisites of men-at-arms. And, albeit the enemy's positions were very wisely chosen, the a.s.sailants if they proceeded with extreme swiftness had a chance of success. The Burgundians at Margny were very few. Having but lately arrived, they had erected neither bastion nor bulwark, and their only defences were the outbuildings of the village.

It was five o'clock in the afternoon when the French set out on the march. The days being at their longest, they did not depend on the darkness for success. In those times indeed, men-at-arms were chary of venturing much in the darkness. They deemed the night treacherous, capable of serving the fool's turn as well as the wise man's, and thus ran the saw: "Night never blushes at her deed."[2006]

[Footnote 2006: _Le Jouvencel_, vol. i, p. 91.]

Having climbed up to Margny, the a.s.sailants found the Burgundians scattered and unarmed. They took them by surprise; and the French set to work to strike here and there haphazard. The Maid, for her part, overthrew everything before her.

Now just at this time Sire Jean de Luxembourg and the Sire de Crequy had ridden over from their camp at Clairoix.[2007] Wearing no armour, and accompanied by eight or ten gentlemen-at-arms, they were climbing the Margny hill. They were on their way to visit Messire Baudot de Noyelles, and all unsuspecting, they were thinking to reconnoitre the defences of the town from this elevated spot, as the Earl of Salisbury had formerly done from Les Tourelles at Orleans. Having fallen into a regular skirmish, they sent to Clairoix in all haste for their arms and to summon their company, which would take a good half hour to reach the scene of battle. Meanwhile, all unarmed as they were, they joined Messire Baudot's little band, to help it to hold out against the enemy.[2008] Thus to surprise my Lord of Luxembourg might be a stroke of good luck and certainly could not be bad; for in any event the Margny men would have straightway summoned their comrades of Clairoix to their aid, as they did in very deed summon the English from Venette and the Burgundians from Coudun.

[Footnote 2007: Monstrelet, vol. iv, p. 387. Lefevre de Saint-Remy, vol. ii, p. 179. Chastellain, vol. ii, p. 48. Note concerning G. de Flavy, in _Trial_, vol. v, p. 176.]

[Footnote 2008: Letter from the Duke of Burgundy to the inhabitants of Saint-Quentin, in _Trial_, vol. v, p. 166. Monstrelet, Lefevre de Saint-Remy, Chastellain. Notes concerning G. de Flavy, _loc. cit._]

Having stormed the camp and pillaged it, the a.s.sailants should in all haste have fallen back on the town with their booty; but they dallied at Margny, for what reason is not difficult to guess: that reason which so often transformed the robber into the robbed. The wearers of the white cross as well as those of the red, no matter what danger threatened them, never quitted a place as long as anything remained to be carried away.

If the mercenaries of Compiegne incurred peril by their greed, the Maid on her side by her valour and prowess ran much greater risk; never would she consent to leave a battle; she must be wounded, pierced with bolts and arrows, before she would give in.

Meanwhile, having recovered from so sudden an alarm, Messire Baudot's men armed as best they might and endeavoured to win back the village.

Now they drove out the French, now they themselves were forced to retreat with great loss. The Seigneur de Crequy, among others, was sorely wounded in the face. But the hope of being reinforced gave them courage. The men of Clairoix appeared. Duke Philip himself came up with the band from Coudun. The French, outnumbered, abandoned Margny, and retreated slowly. It may be that their booty impeded their march.