THE TRIAL OF JOAN OF ARC, Being the verbatim report of the proceedings from the Orleans Manuscript, translated by W.S. Scott, 1956, Associated Book Sellers. The International Joan of Arc Societyπs on-line edition of the 1431 trial record is edited by Dr. Jane Marie Pinzino with permission of Royal Folio Society. See Associated Book Sellersπ original hardcover edition for Scottπs critical apparatus.

copy of the schedule of the summons made By the Bishop of Beauvais to the duke of Burgundy and messire Jean de Luxembourg, to hand oveR the pucelle

It is required by the Bishop of Beauvais of my lord the Duke of Burgundy, of my lord Jean de Luxembourg, and of the Bastard of VendÙme [Wandomme], both on behalf of our lord the King, and of himself as Bishop of Beauvais,

That this woman named Jeanne the Pucelle, a prisoner, be sent to the king that he may deliver her to the Church to stand her trial; since she is suspected and reported to have committed a number of crimes such as sacrilege, idolatry, invocation of devils and other matters touching the faith and contrary to it. And although in my opinion she ought not to be [considered] a prisoner of war, considering what has been said, nonetheless, as a remuneration for those who took her and have held her prisoner, the king is willing to pay them liberally up to the sum of six thousand livres; and for the Bastard who took her prisoner he will give and assign monies suitable to his condition up to the sum of two or three hundred livres.

Since this woman was taken in his diocese and within his spiritual jurisdiction, the bishop requires of the afore‑mentioned and each of them, that she may be handed over to him to stand her trial, as to him rightly belongs, and which he is now ready to hold with the assistance of the Inquisitor of the Faith, if need be, and that of certain doctors of theology and law, and other learned persons expert in the law, as the matter requires; in order that it may be duly carried out to the glory of the Faith and the instruction of those who in this affair have been, by reason of this woman, deceived and abused.

And in conclusion, if the aforesaid persons or any of them are not content with the above‑mentioned method or refuse to obey; since the capture of this woman is not equal to that of a king, prince, or others of high estate, whom the king could have if he so wished by paying ten thousand francs, according to the law, usage and custom of France; the bishop summons and requires the afore‑mentioned persons, to deliver the said Pucelle to him, and will give surety for the said sum of ten thousand francs in full payment; and the bishop hereby requires that she be thus handed over to him, in accordance with the law and subject to its penalties.

Copy of the letter of the University of Paris to Messire Jean de Luxembourg, for the surrender of the Pucelle

Very noble, honoured and puissant lord, we recommend ourselves most lovingly to your high nobility.

Your noble prudence is well assured and recognizes that all good Catholic knights should employ their strength and power firstly in the service of God; especially since the first oath of the Order of Chivalry is to guard and defend God's honour, the Catholic Faith and His Holy Church. This oath you well remembered when you employed your noble power and personal presence in taking prisoner a certain woman called the Pucelle, by whom God's honour has been immeasurably offended, the Faith greatly wounded, and the Church much dishonoured. For by her means, idolatry, error, false doctrines, and other evils and irreparable hurts have spread throughout the realm. And in truth all loyal Christians owe you many thanks for having performed so great a service to our holy Faith and to the whole kingdom. And as for ourselves, we thank God and you for your noble prowess with all our hearts, as much as in us lies. But a little thing would it be to have made this capture, were it not followed by what is necessary to remedy the offence perpetrated by this woman against our most sweet Creator, His Faith and Holy Church, as well as her other innumerable misdeeds, as are reported; and it would be a greater evil still, and an intolerable offence to God's majesty if this woman merely were left, or if it came to pass that she were set free or lost, as certain of our enemies have said they would endeavour to obtain, applying to that end all their knowledge by every subtle means, either by bribery or ransom. But it is our hope that God will not permit such an evil to His people; and that your own good and noble prudence will not suffer it, but will be enabled to act fittingly. For if she were to be freed without suitable reparation, it would be an irreparable dishonour to your high nobility, as well as to all therein concerned. But, in order that such a scandal shall cease as soon as possible, as is most needful, since delay in this matter is both most dangerous and very prejudicial to the realm, we most humbly and lovingly beg your puissant and honoured nobility that, for the honour of God, the safeguarding of the Faith, and the good of the whole realm, you do despatch this woman for trial, and send her to the Inquisitor of the Faith who has required and requires her with the greatest urgency to answer grave charges; in order that God may thereby be pleased and the people duly edified with good and holy doctrine; or that it may please you to deliver this woman up to the reverend Father in God, our very honoured lord, the Bishop of Beauvais, who has likewise required her, seeing that his is the jurisdiction in which she was taken prisoner; and since the bishop and the inquisitor are her judges in matters of faith; and since every Christian of whatsoever degree must obey them in this present case under penalties of law, which are grave. In doing so you will acquire the grace and love of God Almighty; you will be the means of glorifying our holy Faith; and you will increase the renown of your high and noble name, as well as that of the most high and puissant prince, our most feared lord and yours, our lord the Duke of Burgundy; and each of us will be bound to pray God for the prosperity of your most noble person; whom may God our Saviour keep with His holy Grace in all your doings, and at the last reward with everlasting felicity.

Written in Paris the XIIIIth day of July, MCCCCXXX.

Jesus Maria

King of England, and you, Duke of Bedford, who call yourself Regent of the kingdom of France; you, Guillaume de la Pole, Earl of Suffolk, John sire of Talbot, and you, Thomas, Lord Scales, who call yourself lieutenant of the said Bedford, do right before the King of Heaven. Hand over to the Pucelle, who is sent from God the King of Heaven, the keys of all the towns which you have taken and ravaged in France. She is come here on Godπs behalf to restore the blood royal. She is quite ready to make peace, if you are willing to do right, that is, to leave France, and to make amends for the injuries you have done, and to hand back the monies you have received all the time that you have been here.

And you, archers, soldiers and gentlemen and others who are now besieging the town of Orleans, get you back in Godπs Name into your own country. And if you will not do so, I am a chieftain of war, and assure you that wherever I find your people in France, I shall fight them and drive them out; and shall make them go, whether they will or no; and if they will not obey, I shall have them put to death. I am sent here by God the King of Heaven to fight them and to drive them out of France. And if they will obey, I will have mercy on them. And do not think that you will stay here any longer, for you do not hold the realm of France from God the King of Heaven, Son of the Virgin Mary. For he who will thus hold it is Charles, the true heir, for God the King of Heaven so desires. And it is revealed to him by the Pucelle that very shortly he will enter Paris with a good company. And if you do not believe the message of God and the Pucelle, I inform you that wherever we find you, we will fight you, and will make so great a to-do [hay-hay] there that not for a thousand years has France had one so great. And firmly believe that the King of Heaven will send such strength to the Pucelle that neither you nor your soldiers will be able to repel either her or her forces. And when it comes to blows we shall see who has the better right.

And you, Duke of Bedford, who now besiege Orleans, the Pucelle begs that you will not compel her to destroy you. And if you will do right, you may yet see the French doing the greatest deed which has ever been done in Christendom.[OoIS1]

And I beg you, if you desire to make peace, to answer me in the city of Orleans, where we hope to be very shortly; and if you do not do so, you will remember it by reason of your great sufferings.

Written this Tuesday in Holy Week.

The Summons and the aforesaid letters being written and despatched, the Bishop of Beauvais, Messire Pierre Cauchon, accompanied by a man who represented the University of Paris and by a notary apostolic, left Paris and went to CompiËgne where the Duke of Burgundy and de Luxembourg were at the siege. The bishop gave the Summons to the duke, who, after he had received it, handed it to my lord Nicolas Rollin his chancellor, who was present, telling him to give it to Messire Jean de Luxembourg and to the lord of Beaurevoir, which he did immediately, for both were there.[1] De Luxembourg received and read the schedule. Then the letters from the University were given him, which he likewise read, as well as the contents of a document by a notary apostolic named Triquelot, in which the schedule of Summons only is mentioned. This document I have translated from the Latin into French, and it now follows.

TENOR OF THE INSTRUMENT OF THE NOTARY WHO WAS PRESENT AT THE DELIVERY OF THE SUMMONS TO THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY AND MY LORD OF LUXEMBOURG

In the year of Our Lord MCCCCXXX, the XIIIIth day of the month of July, the eighth indication, in the XIIIth year of the pontificate of our lord Pope Martin the Fifth, in the ch‚teau of the most illustrious prince our lord the Duke of Burgundy, in his camp before CompiËgne, in the presence of the noble lords Nicolas de Mailly, bailli of Varmandois, and Jean de Pressy, knights and of many other nobles, witnesses in great numbers, there was presented by the most reverend Father in Christ the lord Pierre, by the Grace of God Bishop and Count of Beauvais, to the most illustrious prince our lord the Duke of Burgundy, a certain schedule on paper containing word for word the five above-written Articles; which paper the lord duke did in fact hand over to the noble Nicolas Rollin, knight, his chancellor, who was present; ordering that it should be conveyed by the said chancellor to the noble and puissant lord Jean de Luxembourg, knight, lord of Beaurevoir; and in order that he might the more readily do so, the said lord the chancellor, in obedience to his command, did so hand it to the lord Jean de Luxembourg when he came; and as it seemed to me, he read the said schedule. Thus signed: Done in my presence,

Triquelot,

Notary public by Apostolic and Imperial authority

After the Schedule and the letters of the University were presented, as has been said, the bishop spoke to the duke and to de Luxembourg. After some talk it was agreed that, on handing over a certain sum of money, the Pucelle should be surrendered to him, which was done three or four days later. The bishop, when he had received her, gave her into the hands of the English, who brought her to Rouen, and kept her there in the ch‚teau, strictly imprisoned, wearing fetters, and strongly guarded.

[Here in the manuscript is inserted the Latin version of the Instrument of the Notary, of which the French version appears in correct chronological order above, and a second copy of the letter from the University, which has already been given. Following this, comes a letter written by Henry VI on 28 June 1431, to inform the subjects of the Crown of the death of the Pucelle. As this edition only includes that part of the Orleans manuscript which ends with Jeanne's execution, it seems better to omit this letter rather than include it in a position which is chronologically incorrect.]

THE TENOR OF THE KING'S LETTERS CONCERNING THE SURRENDER OF THE PUCELLE TO THE BISHOP OF BEAUVAIS

Henry, by the grace of God, King of France and England, to all those who shall see these present letters, Greeting.

It is sufficiently notorious and well‑known that for some time past a woman calling herself Jeanne the Pucelle, leaving off the dress and clothing of the feminine sex, a thing contrary to divine law and abominable before God, and forbidden by all laws, wore clothing and armour such as is worn by men; has caused and occasioned cruel murders; and, so it is said, has seduced and abused simple people by giving them to understand that she was sent from God, and had knowledge of His holy secrets; together with other very dangerous teaching, scandalous and prejudicial to the Catholic Faith; and while pursuing these abuses and showing enmity towards Us and Our people, was taken in arms before CompiËgne by one of Our loyal subjects, and has subsequently been brought as a prisoner before Us. And since she has on many occasions been reputed, suspected and charged with superstition, false dogma, and other crimes of lËse‑majestÈ towards God, We have been urgently requested by the reverend Father in God, Our beloved and loyal Counsellor the Bishop of Beauvais, ecclesiastical judge and Ordinary of the said Jeanne, since she was taken prisoner within the boundaries and limits of his diocese; and have similarly been requested by Our most dearly beloved daughter the University of Paris, that We should cause the said Jeanne to be handed over and delivered to the said reverend Father in God, that he might question and examine her in this matter, and proceed further against her according to the regulations and ordinances of holy canon law, calling together for this purpose those who should be called.

Wherefore, for the reverence and honour of God's Name, and for the defence and upholding of Holy Church and the Catholic Faith, and devoutly desiring as a true and humble Child of Holy Church, to agree to the requests of the said reverend Father in God and to the desire of the doctors and masters of Our said daughter the University of Paris, We do command and consent that as often as shall seem good to the reverend Father in God, the said Jeanne shall in truth and deed be handed over and delivered to him by Our officers and guards, that he may question and examine her, and that she may be tried by him according to God's [laws], right, and the holy canons.

Wherefore We do command Our officers and others, who are charged with her safe keeping, that they shall in deed and truth hand her over to the said Father in God, without refusal or contradiction, as often as he shall require. We do also command all Our magistrates, officers and subjects, both French and English, not to occasion any hindrance or difficulty either in fact or otherwise, either to the said reverend father in God or to any others who may be ordered to assist, take part in or hear the said trial; but if they be so requested by the said reverend Father in God, they shall give them protection, aid, defence, guard and comfort, under pain of severe punishment.

Nevertheless it is Our intention to bring back before Us the said Jeanne, if it should not be that she is convicted or found guilty of the said crimes or any of them, or of other crimes touching our Faith.

In witness whereof We have had affixed to these presents Our prescribed Seal, in the absence of the Great [Seal].

Given at Rouen, the third day of January, in the year of grace MCCCCXXX,[2] and of Our Reign the IXth.

Signed: By the King, in His Great Council J. de Rinel

Shortly afterwards the Bishop of Beauvais, at the request of the King of England and the members of his Council, who were anxious for the death of the Pucelle, moved to Rouen. There he called together all the greatest and most learned personages, together with advocates and notaries, whose names are given hereafter. And when they had assembled, he told them that the King of France and England, their sovereign lord, had been advised by the lords and members of his Council and by the University of Paris, that a woman named Jeanne, commonly called the Pucelle, should be brought to trial, for she was accused of heresy, of diabolic arts, and of various other crimes and evil‑doing. And since this woman had been taken and apprehended in his diocese,[3] it was for him to try her; which by their advice he would endeavour to do. And he prayed that they would be present together with him, to ensure that all that was done was right.

They all answered that they were ready to obey the king, and that they would willingly be present at the trial.

The following day, since the archiepiscopal See was then vacant, and that the jurisdiction was in the hands of the Chapter of the [Cathedral] Church of Rouen, the bishop went to the Chapter and said to the dean and canons similar words to those he had used the day before. But since he was out of his own diocese [he added], he desired leave and permission to hold [the trial] in the territory of the Archbishop of Rouen; and asked their leave that he should exercise his functions within that territory. This permission was granted him, and he asked that it should be put in writing, which was sent to him.

When all preparations were made for beginning the trial, although it was pointed out to the bishop that, seeing that it was a trial in a matter of faith, and held by ecclesiastics, Jeanne the Pucelle ought to be kept in the prison of the Archbishop of Rouen; nevertheless the good lord, ever desirous of pleasing the King of England and winning the good opinion of the English, was unwilling to do this, and left her in a prison held by the English, her mortal enemies. In this he began to show the desire he had to do honest justice in this trial, in which he and his band showed no more feeling in putting the Pucelle to death than Caiaphas and Annas and the scribes and Pharisees showed in bringing about the death of Our Lord, as one can see clearly in the recital of the trial; in which there are many lies, as I have found in two books[4] in which is written the [report of] her trial of condemnation, and in which there are a number of disagreements, especially in the questions and in her answers. It is further completely proved by the trial of rehabilitation that the trial of condemnation was falsified in a number of places.

THE TRIAL FOR LAPSE

THE FORMAL PRELIMINARIES

9 January

HERE begins the report of the trial held by Messire Pierre Cauchon, Bishop and Count of Beauvais, in a matter of faith, against a woman named Jeanne, commonly called the Pucelle, translated from Latin into French[5] by command of King Louis, twelfth of the name, at the request of my lord and Admiral of France, Seigneur de Graville.

First Council

To begin: the said bishop being in the town of Rouen in the year one thousand four hundred and thirty, after the Epiphany, which was the ninth day of the month of January, he had called before him the reverend fathers and masters, my lords Gilles, Abbot of FÈcamp, doctor in theology; Nicolas, Abbot of JumiËges, doctor in laws; Pierre de Longueville La Guiffart, doctor in theology; Nicolas de VenderËs, Archdeacon of Eu in the Church of Rouen, licentiate in laws; Raoul Roussel, Treasurer of the [Cathedral] Church of Notre Dame in Rouen, doctor in laws; Robert Barbier, licentiate in laws; Nicolas Couppequesne, bachelor in theology; Nicolas Loiseleur, master in arts, canon of Rouen; all of whom appeared in obedience to the order of the bishop in the Council Chamber of the castle of Rouen. The bishop informed them that a woman named Jeanne, commonly called the Pucelle, had not long since been taken and apprehended in his diocese; and, that since she was strongly suspected of the crime of heresy, this woman had been delivered and handed over, as much at the request of the Most Christian and Most Illustrious Prince the King of France and England, as at that of our mother the University of Paris, in accordance with his summons and that of the venerable Brother Martin Billon [Billorin], vicar general of the Inquisitor of the Faith in France, in order that inquiry might be made into the crimes and evils of which she has been accused; and that he, being desirous of giving honour and praise to God, and [for] the exaltation of the holy Catholic Faith, might proceed juridically in this matter according to law. Since the Archiepiscopal See was then vacant, he had obtained from my lords of the Chapter permission and leave to proceed in the territory of Rouen to the inquisitions and inquiries which must be made into the said crimes, as is contained in the letters upon the matter. These he exhibited, together with the copies of the letters which the members of the University of Paris had written to Messire Jean de Luxembourg, who [had] held the Pucelle prisoner; together with the schedule of the summons which had been issued to him, copies of which are hereinbefore written.

Second Council

19 February

On Monday the nineteenth day of February there appeared before the Bishop of Beauvais, in the house of MaÓtre Jean Rubbe, canon of Rouen, my lords the Abbot of FÈcamp, MaÓtre Jean BeaupËre, Guillaume Hecton, Jacques de Touraine, Nicolas Midi, Nicolas de VenderËs, Pierre Maurice, Gerard Feuillet, Thomas de Courcelles and Nicolas Loiseleur.

The bishop explained to them that a woman named Jeanne called the Pucelle, who was accused of invoking devils and other crimes, had been delivered and handed over to him from the Very Illustrious Prince the King of France and England; and that, since she had been handed over, articles concerning the Catholic Faith had been composed, upon which articles they had examined a number of witnesses, as one could see from the reading of the articles and the depositions of the witnesses who had been examined upon them. These articles and depositions were read in the presence of the above-mentioned persons. After the reading was done, since the Grand Inquisitor of the Faith was not in the town of Rouen, but only his deputy was there, it was ordered and directed by the bishop that the deputy should be called; and that in the presence of notaries he should be summoned to hear read the articles and informations which had been made concerning the crimes and evil‑doing of the said Jeanne, and the scandal which had thereby arisen.

And afterwards, by the advice of those who were present, the bishop ordered that this woman should be summoned to be questioned in a matter of faith. This being done, all those present swore to keep secret everything that might transpire in this matter.

Third Council

The same day after dinner, about four o'clock in the evening, the bishop summoned and required the venerable Brother Jean Le MaÓtre, deputy of the Inquisitor of the Faith, who had been called to take part in the trial, and requested him to join with him in proceeding in the matter of the said Jeanne, offering to inform him of everything that had been done at the trial [up till then]. Le MaÓtre answered that, if his commission and deputyship were sufficient, then willingly would he do all he should and could in the said enquiry.

This was done at the lodging of the bishop, in the presence of Jean Massieu, Brother Simon de Paris, Boisguillaume and Manchon.

Fourth Council

20 February

On Tuesday the twentieth day of February there appeared before the bishop, the said BeaupËre, de Touraine, Midi, VenderËs, Maurice, Gerard and de Courcelles, MaÓtre Jean Le MaÓtre, Martin Ladvenu and Nicolas Loiseleur.

The bishop said and declared that he had seen the commission and deputyship of Le MaÓtre, which was good and sufficient, and that he had found from advice that the said Le MaÓtre, deputy, could join with him in conducting the trial. But that notwithstanding this he found from advice that he ought to summon the Grand Inquisitor, if he should be in Normandy, to come to this city of Rouen to be present at the trial, or to commission a deputy in the matter which has been mentioned, who would have full powers to proceed in it.

Le MaÓtre answered that he did not wish to interfere in the matter, as much for scruples of conscience as for the safer conduct of the trial. And furthermore, that, inasmuch as [he was acting as] Grand Inquisitor, to whom reference has been made, he said that he agreed that the bishop could commission whom he please to be present in the place of the Inquisitor, until he be advised whether the vicariate and commission that he has be sufficient to enable him to join in the affair.

After these words, the bishop offered him the [records of the] trial, and all that had been done.

THE PREPARATORY INTERROGATIONS

[These interrogations were intended to produce proofs in support of the Indictment. The Roman numerals in square brackets refer to the number of the Article of the Indictment in support of which Jeanne's answer was included in the promoter's notes.]

First Public Session

21 February

The following day, which was Wednesday the twenty‑first day of February, in the chapel royal of the castle of Rouen, in the presence of the bishop and of my lords and masters, my lord Gilles, Abbot of FÈcamp, Jean BeaupËre, Jean de Ch‚tillon, Jacques le Tessier, Nicolas Midi, Gerard Feuillet, Guillaume Haiton, Thomas de Courcelles and MaÓtre Richard Praty, were read the letters of the King of England wherein he commanded the ordinary judges of Rouen to hand over and deliver the Pucelle to the bishop to be tried; the letters of the Chapter of Rouen showing that they had given permission to the bishop to hold the trial within the territory of Rouen; and the citation to the Pucelle to appear before him, together with the account of him who had cited her.

These being read, MaÓtre Jean Estivet, appointed promoter at the trial by the bishop, required the Pucelle to be brought and questioned in accordance with law. Which was granted by the bishop.

And since Jeanne had made a supplication that she might be allowed to hear Mass, the bishop said that he had consulted with several wise and notable persons, on whose advice he had come to the conclusion that, in view of the crimes of which she was accused, and of the fact that she wore man's dress, they ought to defer this request: and thus he declared it.

Very soon after, Jeanne was led in to the presence of the bishop and the assessors afore‑mentioned.

She being present, the judge spoke to her and explained that she had been taken within the boundaries of his diocese. And since there was common report of a number of her deeds which were contrary to our faith, not only within the realm of France but in all the States in which they were known and published, and since she was accused of heresy, she had been handed over to him to be tried in a matter of faith.

After these words, the promoter showed how at his request she had been cited and convened to answer in a matter of faith, as appeared from the letters and acts which he then exhibited, begging that she should be adjured to speak the truth, and then questioned upon the accusations that he would deliver.

This was granted by the bishop and the court.

This request being granted, as has been said, the bishop caused Jeanne to come before him, and charitably admonished her.

And told her that she should tell the truth concerning the things which would be asked her, as much for the shortening of her trial as for the unburdening of her conscience, without subterfuge or craft; and that she should swear on the Holy Gospels to tell the truth concerning everything she should be asked.

Jeanne answered: I do not know on what you may wish to question me. Perhaps you may ask such things as I will not answer.

Whereupon the bishop said to her:

You will swear to tell the truth about whatever you are asked concerning the Catholic Faith, and all else that you may know.

To which Jeanne answered that concerning her father and mother, and concerning everything she had done since she took the road for France,[6] she would willingly swear. But as for revelations sent her from God, never had she told or revealed them save to Charles, who she said was her king. And if they cut her head off, she would not reveal them; for she knew from her visions that she must keep them secret. But within eight days she would know if she ought to reveal them.

After these words the bishop admonished her, and asked her to take the oath to tell the truth concerning the faith.

Jeanne knelt down, her two hands on the book, that is to say a missal, and swore that she would tell the truth in all matters asked her concerning the Faith. But that, about the aforesaid revelations, she would not tell anyone.

The same day, after several questions had been put to her concerning the name of her father and mother, the place where she was born, and her age, Jeanne complained of the fetters which she had on her legs.

She was told by the bishop that several times she had endeavoured to escape from her prisons, wherefore, in order that she might be kept the more securely, he had ordered that she should be fettered.

To which Jeanne answered that it was true that on these previous occasions she would have much liked to escape from prison, as was lawful for every prisoner. She said further that if she had been able to escape, no one could have said that she had broken faith, for she had never given her parole to anyone.

On account of this answer, the bishop ordered John Rice, John Bernard, and William Talbot,[7] to whom the guardianship of Jeanne was committed, that they should guard her strictly, and that they should not allow anyone to speak to her unless they had his express permission; and made the guards place their hands on the missal, upon which they took a solemn oath to do all that they had been ordered.

The same day, Jeanne, being questioned as to her name and surname,

Answered that, in the place where she was born, she was called Jeannette, and in France, Jeanne; of a surname she knew nothing.

Questioned as to the place of her birth,

She answered that she was born in a village called Domremy de Greux, and in Greux is the principal church.

Questioned as to the name of her father and mother,

She answered that her father was named Jacques Tart and her mother Ysabeau.

Questioned as to where she had been baptised,

She answered that it was in the church of Domremy.

Questioned as to who were her godfathers and godmothers,

She answered that they were a woman named Agnes and another called Jeanne; and a man called Jean Bavent was her godfather. She said also that she had heard her mother say that she had other godfathers and godmothers as well as these.

Questioned as to who was the priest who baptised her,

She answered that he was called Messire Jean Nynet [Minet], to the best of her belief.

Questioned as to whether the said Nynet was still alive,

She answered yes, to the best of her belief.

Questioned as to how old she was,

She answered that she was nineteen or thereabouts. She said also that her mother taught her the Pater Noster, Ave Maria and Credo; and that no one else save her mother taught her faith.

Being required to repeat the Pater Noster and Ave Maria,

She answered that she would say it willingly, provided that my lord Bishop of Beauvais, who was present, would hear her confession. And although she was several times required to say the Pater Noster and Ave Maria, she answered that she would not say them unless the bishop would hear her in confession.

And then the bishop said: I will give you one or two notable persons of this company to whom you will say your Pater Noster and Ave Maria,

To which she answered: I will not say them at all, if they do not hear me in confession.

Second Session

22 February

The year one thousand four hundred and thirty, the twenty‑second day of February. in the Hall[8] of the castle of Rouen, there were assembled together with the bishop, the reverend fathers, lords and masters, the Abbot of FÈcamp, Jean de Ch‚tillon, Jean BeaupËre, Guillaume Leboucher, Prior of Longueville, Maurice du Quesnoy, Jacques de Touraine, Nicolas Midi, Jean de Fave, Denis de Sabreuvoys, Jean LefËvre, William Haiton, Pierre Maurice, Gerard Feuillet, Jacques Guesdon, doctors in theology; Jean Sevestre, Jean Le MaÓtre, bachelors in theology; MaÓtre Raoul Roussel, Nicolas de VenderËs; the Abbot of JumiËges; Jean Brullet, AndrÈ Marguerie, Jean Pinchon, Jean Basset; the Abbots of Saint Katherine, of Cormeilles and of PrÈaux; Denis Gastinel, Nicolas Couppequesne, Gilles des Champs, Geoffroi du Crotoy.

In whose presence and in that of Brother Jean Le MaÓtre, deputy of the Inquisitor of the Faith, the bishop showed how he had summoned and required Le MaÓtre, as general Inquisitor of the Faith, to join in the trial of Jeanne, offering to communicate to him everything that had been done at the trial.

To which Le MaÓtre answered that he was only commissioned in the city and diocese of Rouen; and since the trial was held before the bishop, not as Ordinary of the diocese of Rouen, but as of borrowed jurisdiction, he was doubtful of joining in the matter. And although he had been doubtful as to joining in the trial, nevertheless, as much in order that the trial should not be null and void, as for the unburdening of his conscience, he was content to be present at the trial since he had inquisitorial powers.

This offer being made, Jeanne was first admonished and required to take the oath that she had taken the day before to tell the truth concerning all that would be asked her of the crimes and evils of which she was accused,

To which Jeanne answered that she had already taken the oath, and this should suffice.

And she was again ordered to swear to tell the absolute truth concerning everything that would be asked her; assuring her that there was not a prince who could or should refuse to take the oath to tell the truth in a matter of faith.

To which she answered: I did so yesterday. You are burdening me too much.

Finally she took the oath in the form in which she had taken it the day before.

The oath being taken, the bishop ordered MaÓtre Jean BeaupËre to question her. In obedience to his orders BeaupËre questioned her as follows:

Firstly he asked her if she would tell the truth.

To which she replied: You may well ask me such things that as to some I shall tell the truth, as to others, not. She said further: If you are well informed about me, you would wish that I were out of your hands. I have done nothing save by revelation.

Questioned as to what age she was when she left her father's house,

She said that she did not know the answer.

Questioned as to whether she had learned any craft or trade,

She said yes; and that her mother had taught her to sew; and that she did not believe there was any woman in Rouen who could teach her anything in this matter.

She said also that she had left her father's house partly for fear of the Burgundians; and that she went to Neufch‚teau with a woman named La Rousse;[9] where she stayed a fortnight. In this house she did the household tasks, and did not go into the fields to keep the sheep or other animals. [VIII]

Asked whether she made her confession every year,

She said yes, to her own curÈ. And if he were prevented, she confessed to another priest, with her curÈ's leave. And she also said that she had confessed two or three times to mendicant friars. And that she received the Body of Our Lord every year at Easter.

Asked whether she had not received the Body of Our Lord at other feasts than Easter,

She answered: Go to the next question. And she said that, from the age of thirteen, she received revelation from Our Lord by a voice which taught her how to behave. And the first time she was greatly afraid. And she said that the voice came that time at noon, on a summer's day, a fast day, when she was in her father's garden, and that the voice came on her right side, in the direction of the church. And she said that the voice was hardly ever without a light, which was always in the direction of the voice.

She said further that, after she had heard it three times, she knew that it was the voice of an angel.

She said also that this voice had always taken good care of her.

Questioned as to what teaching this voice gave her as to the salvation of her soul,

She answered that it taught her how to behave. And it said to her that she ought to go often to church. And later it said to her that it was necessary that she should go into France.

And it said to her two or three times a week that she must leave and go into France. And that her father knew nothing of her going.

And with this, it said to her that she must hurry and go and raise the siege of Orleans [X]; and that she should go to Robert de Baudricourt, captain of Vaucouleurs; and that he would give her men to accompany her.

To which she answered that she was only a poor woman, who knew nothing of riding or of making war.

And after these words, she went to an uncle's house, where she stayed a week, after which her uncle brought her to Robert de Baudricourt, whom she recognized, although she had never seen him before. [XII]

And she said that she recognized him by her voices, which had told her that it was he.

She said further that de Baudricourt refused her twice. The third time he received her, and gave her people to conduct her to France, as the voice had told her. [X]

[She said also that before she received her king's commands, the Duke of Lorraine asked for her to be sent to him. She went, and told him that she wished to be sent into France. He questioned her concerning his health, of which she told him she knew nothing. She said to him little about her journey, but asked him to lend her his son and some others to conduct her to France, and then she would pray God for his restoration to health. She went to him with a safe conduct, and returned to the town of Vaucouleurs.]

She said further that when she left Vaucouleurs, she took man's dress, and also a sword which de Baudricourt gave her, but no other armour. And she said she was accompanied by a knight and four other men; and that day they spent the night in the town of Saint Urbain, where she slept in the Abbey.[10]

She said also that as for her route, she passed through Auxerre, where she heard Mass in the great church; and that she often had her voices with her.

Questioned as to who advised her to take male dress,

[To this question I have found in one book that her voices had commanded her to take man's dress; and in the other I found that, although she was several times asked, she never made any other reply than 'I charge nobody'. And I found in this book that several times she answered variously.]

She said further that Robert de Baudricourt made her escort swear that they would conduct her well and safely.

She also said that when they left, de Baudricourt said to her:

Go, and let come what may. [XII]

She said that she was well assured that God greatly loved the Duke of Orleans, and that she had more revelations concerning him than any man in France, except her king. [XXXV]

She said further that it was absolutely essential for her to change her dress. [XII]

Questioned as to what letters she sent the English and what they contained,

She said that she sent letters to the English, who were before Orleans, wherein she wrote to them that they must leave. And she said that in these letters, as she had heard it said, they have altered two or three words; for example, Render to the Pucelle, where it should be Render to the king; and where there is Body for body, and Chieftain of war; this was not in the letters. [XXI]

She said also that she went to her king without hindrance.

Further, she said that she found her king at Chinon, where she arrived about noon, and lodged at an inn, and after dinner went to the king who was in the castle.

She said that she went right into the room where the king was; whom she recognized among many others by the advice of the voice.

She said that she told the king that she wished to make war on the English. [XVII]

Questioned whether, when the voice pointed the king out to her, there was any light,

She answered: Go on to the next question.

Questioned if she saw an angel above the king,

She answered: Forgive me. Pass on to the next.

She said also that before the king set her to work, he had several apparitions and glorious revelations.

Questioned as to what revelations,

She answered: I shall not tell you yet; go to the king and he will tell you. [LX]

She said further that the voice promised her that very soon after she arrived the king would receive her.

She said also that those of her party well knew that the voice came from God; and that they saw and knew the voice; and that she knows this well.

She said that the king and several members of his Council heard and saw the voices who came to her; and amongst others, Charles, Duke of Bourbon. [XXXVI]

She said also that she never asked anything of the voice save at the last the salvation of her soul.

[XLIV]

She said further that the voice told her that she should stay at Saint Denis in France; and there she wished to remain. But the lords were not willing to leave her there, because she was wounded; otherwise she would not have left. And she said that she was wounded in the moat of Paris; of which wound she was cured within five days. [XXXVIII

She said that she had made a great assault on Paris.

Asked whether the day she made this assault were a feast day,

She answered, after being questioned several times, that she believed it was a feast.

Asked if she thought it a good thing to make an assault on a feast day,

She replied: Go on to the next question.

These questions and answers being done, the Bishop of Beauvais postponed the matter until the following Saturday.

Third Session

24 February

The following Saturday, which was the twenty‑fourth of February, those who were there the previous day were convoked and called together by the Dean of the Christendom of Rouen.

The Bishop of Beauvais directed and admonished Jeanne to swear absolutely and without condition to tell the truth. Three times she was thus admonished and required.

To which she answered: Give me leave to speak.

And then said: By my faith, you might ask me such things as I will not tell you.

She further said: It could be that there are many things you might ask me of which I would not tell you the truth, especially concerning the revelations; for you would perhaps force me to say by mistake something that I have sworn not to say. Thus I should be perjured, which you ought not to wish.

Addressing my lord of Beauvais, she said: Beware of saying that you are my judge. For you take upon yourself great responsibility, and you overburden me.

She also stated that she thought it was enough to have taken the oath twice.

Questioned again and again as to whether she would take the oath simply and absolutely,

She answered: You can well do without it. I have sworn twice; that is enough. And I believe that all the clergy of Rouen and Paris would not condemn me save in error.

And she added that she would not have told all in a week.

She said also that, of her coming into France she will willingly tell the truth but not everything.

As to what was told her, that she should take the advice of those present as to whether or no she should take the oath,

She answered that she would willingly tell the truth as to her coming, but nothing more. And that she should not be spoken to any more concerning the matter.

And being admonished and told that she would make herself suspect by her unwillingness to take the oath,

She answered as before.

The bishop ordering and requiring her to swear precisely and absolutely,

She answered: I shall willingly tell you what I know, but not all. [LX]

She also said that she came from God, and ought not to be here; and said that they should remit her into the hands of God, from Whom she came. [XXV]

After being again and again ordered and required to take the oath and admonished to do so on pain of being found guilty of the acts

She answered: I have sworn enough. Leave the matter.

And when time and again she was admonished to tell the truth in what concerned her trial, it being explained to her that she was endangering herself,

She answered: I am ready to swear and to say all that I know concerning my trial. But I will not say all that I know.

After saying which, she took the oath. [LX]

These things being done, she was questioned by M‚itre Jean BeaupËre. Firstly he asked her when she had last eaten or drunk,

To which she answered: yesterday afternoon.

Questioned since when had she heard her voice,

She answered that she had heard it both yesterday and to‑day.

Questioned at what time she had heard it yesterday,

She said that she had heard it three times; once in the morning; again at the hour of Vespers; and yet again at the hour of the Ave Maria; sometimes she heard it more often than [this], she said.

Questioned as to what she was doing yesterday morning when she heard this voice,

She answered that she was asleep, and that the voice awoke her.

Asked whether the voice woke her by its sound, or by touching her on the arms or elsewhere,

She answered that she was wakened by the voice without being touched.

Questioned as to whether the voice was still in her room,

She replied that she thought not, but that it was in the castle. [X]

Asked if she did not thank the voice, and kneel down,

She answered that she thanked it, being seated on her bed. And she said that she joined her hands together, and begged and prayed that it might help and advise her in what she had to do. [XLIX]

To which the voice told her to answer boldly.

Asked what the voice told her when she was awake,

She answered that it said that she must ask advice from Our Lord.

Asked whether it had said anything before she questioned it,

She said that before she was awake, the voice had said several words to her that she did not understand. But when she had wakened, she understood that the voice had told her that she must answer boldly. [L]

She said several times to the bishop, You say that you are my judge; consider well what you do; for in truth I am sent from God, and you are putting yourself in great peril.

Asked if this voice had ever varied in its advice,

She answered that she had never found in it two contradictory words.

Asked whether it were an angel coming direct from God,[11] or if it were a saint,

She answered that it came from God.

And added, I am not telling you all I know, for I am greatly afraid of saying something displeasing to it in my answers to you.

And she said further: In this questioning I beg you that I may be allowed a delay.

Asked if she believed that God would be displeased if she told the truth,

She answered my lord of Beauvais that the voices had told her to say some things to the king and not to him. [LX]

She also said that the voice told her that night things concerning the king's good; things that she wished the king to know immediately; and that she would drink no wine till Easter, wherefore he would be happier when he dined. [XXXI]

Asked if she could make this heavenly voice obey her and carry a message to her king,

She answered that she did not know whether it would be willing to obey her, unless it were the will of God, and that Our Lord agreed.

And that, if it pleased God, it would be able to reveal it to the king; if so [she added] I would be very happy.

Questioned as to why she cannot now speak with her king, as she used to do in his presence,

She said that she did not know if it were God's will. [XXV]

She said further that if she were not in the grace of God she could do nothing. [XXXVIII]

Asked if her counsel [her voices] had not revealed to her that she should escape,

She answered: I have [yet] to tell you this.

Asked if this voice has not now given her advice and counsel as to what she should answer,

She replied that if it had revealed or said anything to her [about this], she had not well understood it.

Questioned as to whether, on the last two days that she heard her voices, a light had appeared,

She answered that the light comes before the voice.

Asked if with the voice she sees something,

She answered: I am not going to tell you everything, for I have not permission; and also my oath does not touch that; but I do say to you that it is a beautiful voice, righteous and worthy; otherwise I am not bound to answer you.

For this reason she asked to see in writing the points upon which they desired to question her.

Asked if the voice could see; that is to say, whether it had eyes,

She answered: You may not know that yet.

She said also that there is a saying among little children that people are often hanged for telling the truth. [LX]

Asked if she knew whether she were in the grace of God,

She answered: If I am not, may God put me there; if I am, may He keep me there.

She said further that if she knew she were not in the grace of God, she would be the most miserable person in the world. She said also that if she were in mortal sin, the voice would not come to her. And she would that everyone might hear them as well as she did. [XXXIX]

She also said that she thought she was thirteen years of age when the voice came to her the first time. [X] 

Asked whether in her childhood she used to go and play in the fields with the others, 

She said she did so sometimes. But she did not know at what age. 

Asked if the people of Domremy sided with the Burgundians or the Armagnacs, 

She answered that she only knew one Burgundian, whose head she would like to see chopped off, that is if it had pleased God. 

Asked whether at Maxey they were Burgundians or Armagnacs, 

She said they were Burgundians. 

Questioned as to whether her voice told her in her childhood to hate the Burgundians, 

She answered that ever since she learned that the voices were for the King of France, she did not love the Burgundians. [XXXVIII]

She added that the Burgundians would have war, if they did not do as they ought; she knew this from the voice. [XXXIII]

Asked if the voice told her in her childhood that the English should come into France, 

She said they were already in France when the voice first spoke to her. 

Asked if she were ever with the other children when they played at fights between English and French, 

She said no, as far as she could remember. But she had often seen those of her village fighting against those of Maxey, and sometimes coming back wounded and bleeding. 

Asked if in her youth she had a great desire to defeat the Burgundians, 

She answered that she had a great desire that the king should have his kingdom. 

Asked if she had wanted to be a man when she knew that she had to come [into France], 

She said that she had answered elsewhere. 

Asked if she ever used to lead the animals to pasture, 

She replied that she had already answered; and that, since she had grown up and reached years of understanding, she did not look after them; but she did help to drive them to the meadows, and to a castle called de l'Ile, for fear of the soldiers; but as to whether she looked after them or not in her childhood, she did not remember. [VIII]

Questioned concerning the tree,

She answered that quite close to Domremy there was a tree which was called the Ladies' tree; others called it the Fairies' tree; and near it there was a spring; and she had heard it said that persons suffering from fever drank of it; and she has seen them going to it to be cured. But she did not know whether they were cured or not. [V]

She said also that she had heard that the sick, when they could get up, went to the tree to walk about; and she said it was a large tree called a beech, from whence comes the beau mai;[12] and it belonged to Messire Pierre de BourlÈmont.[13]

She said that she sometimes went there with the other girls in summer time, and made wreaths for Notre Dame de Domremy.

She had heard several old folk say, not of her family, that the fairies frequented it; and she had heard her godmother Jeanne, wife [of the mayor of the village of Domremy], say that she had seen them there. Whether this was true, she does not know.

She said that she herself had never seen a fairy, as far as she knew, either at the tree or anywhere else.

She said further that she had seen garlands hung on the branches of the tree by the girls; and she herself had hung them there with the other girls. Sometimes they took them away, and sometimes they left them.

She also said that ever since she learned that she must come into France, she played very little, the least that she could. And she did not know whether, since she had reached years of discretion, she had danced near the tree. Sometimes she may have danced there with the children, but she more often sang than danced.

She also said that there was a wood called the Bois Chesnu that one could see from her father's house, not more than a league away; but she was unaware and had never heard it said that the fairies frequented it.

She had heard from her brother that it was said in the neighbourhood that she received her revelations at the tree and from the fairies. But she had not. And she told him quite the contrary.

She said further that when she came before the king, many people asked whether in her country there was not a wood called the Bois Chesnu, for there was a prophecy saying that from the Bois Chesnu should come a maiden who would perform marvellous acts; but she put no faith in it.[14]

[VI]

Questioned as to whether she wanted a woman's dress,

She answered: If you give me permission, give me one, and I will take it and go. Otherwise no. I am content with this one, since it is God's will that I wear it. [XIV]

After these questions were done, the following Tuesday was appointed, at eight o'clock. And the assessors were requested to assemble on that day at the said hour, under pain of displeasure.

Fourth Session

27 February

The following Tuesday, which was the twenty‑seventh day of the month of February, following the Sunday of Reminiscere, in the year one thousand four hundred and thirty, for the fifth session.[15]

Firstly the assessors were convoked; and in their presence Jeanne was required by my lord the Bishop of Beauvais to swear and take the oath concerning what touched her trial.

To which she answered that she would willingly swear as to what touched her trial, but not as to everything she knew.

Many times she was requested by the bishop to answer the truth concerning everything that would be asked her,

To which she answered as before: It seems to me you ought to be satisfied; I have sworn enough.

By order of my lord of Beauvais, M‚itre Jean BeaupËre began to interrogate Jeanne, and asked her how she had been since Saturday.

She answered: You can see that I am as well as I can be.

Questioned as to whether she fasted every day of this Lent,

She replied: What has that to do with your trial?

To which BeaupËre said: Yes, indeed, it belongs to the trial.

She replied: Yes, certainly, I have fasted the whole time.

Asked whether she had heard her voice since Saturday,

She answered: Yes, indeed, many times.

Questioned as to whether she heard it in this hall on Saturday,

She answered: That has nothing to do with your trial; and afterwards said, yes.

Asked what it said to her on Saturday,

She answered: I did not well understand it; I understood nothing that I could tell you until my return to my room.

Asked what it said to her when she was back in her room,

She replied: That I should answer you boldly.

And she said further that she asked advice concerning the things that were asked her.

She said also that when she has leave of Our Lord to reveal it, she will tell it willingly; but touching the revelations concerning the King of France, she will not tell without permission from her voice. [LX]

Asked if the voice forbade her to tell everything,

She answered that she had still not quite understood.

Asked what the voice said to her,

She said that she asked advice from it as to certain questions that had been asked her.

Asked whether the voice had given her advice as to these matters,

She replied that on certain points she had received advice.

She said also that as to certain questions, they might demand an answer, but she would not give it without leave; and if by chance she answered without permission, she would not have them for warrant.

But [she said] when I have Our Lord's leave, then I shall not be afraid to answer, for I shall have a good warrant. [L]

Questioned as to whether it were the voice of an angel, or of a saint, or directly from God,

She answered that the voices were those of Saint Catherine and of Saint Margaret. And their heads are crowned with beautiful crowns, most richly and preciously. And [she said] for [telling you] this I have leave from Our Lord. If you doubt it, send to Poitiers where I have been previously examined. [XXXIV]

Asked how she knew that it was these two saints, and if she could tell the one from the other,

She answered that she was certain that it was these; and that she well knew the one from the other.

Asked how she knew the one from the other, [XLV]

She replied that she knew them by the greeting they gave her. [XXXIV]

She also said that it was seven years since they first began to guide her. [X]

She also said she knows them because they tell her their names. [XXXIV]

Asked whether they are dressed in the same cloth,

She answered: I shall not now tell you anything else. She also said that she had not leave to reveal it. And if you do not believe me [she added], go to Poitiers.

She said further: there are some revelations which were intended for the King of France, and not for those who question me.

Asked if they are of the same age,

She said: I have not leave to tell you that.

Asked if they talked at the same time, or one after the other,

She replied: I have not leave to tell you that; nevertheless I always receive advice from both of them.

Asked which [appeared] first,

She answered: I do not recognize them at once. I used to know well enough, but now I have forgotten. If she has leave, she will willingly say; and it is in the register of Poitiers. [LX]

She said also that she received counsel from Saint Michael.

Questioned which came first,

She said it was Saint Michael.

Asked if it were long ago,

She answered: I do not speak of Saint Michael's voice, but of the great comfort [he brought me].

Asked which was the first voice that came to her when she was thirteen,

She said it was Saint Michael whom she saw before her eyes; and he was not alone, but was accompanied by angels from heaven.

She said also that she would not have come into France had it not been for God's command.

Asked if she saw Saint Michael and the angels corporeally and in reality,

She answered: I saw them with my bodily eyes, as well as I am seeing you.

And when they left her, she wept and greatly longed that they should have taken her with them.

Asked in what form was Saint Michael,

I have not yet answered you this; and have not yet leave to tell it.

Questioned as to what Saint Michael said to her the first time,

She answered: You will not have any other answer.

She also said that the voices told her to answer boldly.

She said further that she had not yet leave to reveal what Saint Michael told her; and greatly wished that her examiner had a copy of the book which is at Poitiers, provided that was pleasing to God.

Asked whether Saint Michael and the other saints had told her not to tell her revelations without their permission,

She answered: I will not answer you further about that. And, concerning what I have leave to tell you, I will gladly answer. And [she added] that if they had forbidden her, she did not so understand it.

Asked what sign she gives whereby it might be known that they come from God, and that they are Saint Catherine and Saint Margaret,

She replied: I have told you often enough that they are Saint Catherine and Saint Margaret. Believe me if you will. [LX]

Asked how she is able to make a distinction between answering certain points, and not others,

She replied that on some points she had asked leave, and on some, she had obtained it.

She said furthermore that she would rather be torn asunder by horses than come into France without God's leave. [XXIII]

Asked if the voice ordered her to wear a man's dress,

She answered that the dress is but a small matter; and that she had not taken it by the advice of any living man; and that she did not take this dress nor do anything at all save by the command of Our Lord and the angels. [XII]

Questioned as to whether it seemed to her that this command to take male dress was a lawful one,

She answered that everything she had done was at Our Lord's command, and if He had ordered Jeanne to take a different dress, she would have done so, since it would have been at God's command. [XIII]

Nor had she ever taken this dress at the order of Robert [de Baudricourt].

Asked if she had done well to take man's dress,

She said that everything she had done at Our Lord's command she considered well done, and from it she expected good surety and good support.

She said also that she had a sword which she obtained at Vaucouleurs. [XII]

Questioned as to whether in this particular case of taking male dress she considered she had done rightly,

She answered that without God's command she had not done so; and that she had done nothing in the world save by His command. [XIII]

Asked whether, when she saw the voice, there was a light with it,

She said that there was a great deal of light on all sides as was fitting. [X]

Asked whether there was an angel over her king's head when first she saw him,

She answered: By Saint Mary, if there were any, I did not know, nor did I see one.

Asked whether there was a fight there,

She said that there were more than three hundred knights and fifty torches, not counting the spiritual light; and that she rarely received revelations without there being a light.

Asked how her king gave credence to her words,

She replied that he had good signs; and through the clergy. [LI]

Asked what revelations the king had,

She answered: You will not learn them from me, this year. [LX]

She said also that the ecclesiastics of her party were of this opinion, that there seemed to be nothing but good in her. [LI]

Asked whether she had been to Saint Catherine de Fierbois,

She answered yes. And there she heard three masses in one day, and then went to the town of Chinon. [XIX]

She said that she told her king on one occasion that it had been revealed to her that she should go to him.

She said also that she had sent letters to her king, saying that she was writing to know whether she should enter the town where he was, and that she had already travelled a good hundred and fifty leagues to come to his aid, and that she had much good news for him; and she thought that the letter also said that she would be able to recognize him amongst all others. [XXXI]

She said further that she had a sword, which, when she was in Tours or in Chinon, she sent to be looked for at Saint Catherine de Fierbois. This sword was in the ground, behind the altar of Saint Catherine, and it was immediately found there, all rusted.

Asked how she knew the sword was there,

She said it was in the ground, all rusted, and upon it were five crosses. This she knew from her voices, saying that she never saw the man who was sent to look for the sword. She wrote to the clergy of the place asking that it might please them to let her have the sword, which they sent her. It was not deep in the ground behind the altar, so she thought, although in truth she was not certain whether it were in front of it or behind, but she believed that she wrote that it was behind [the altar].

She added that as soon as the sword was found, the clergy of the place rubbed it, and the rust fell off without any effort; and that it was an armourer of Tours who went to find the sword.[16] And the clergy of Saint Catherine and the citizens of Tours both gave her sheaths for it. They made two sheaths, one of crimson velvet and the other of cloth of gold. She herself had another made of very strong leather.

She also stated that when she was taken prisoner she no longer had this sword; but that she had always worn it until her departure from Saint Denis.

Asked whether she had ever said or caused to be said a blessing upon this sword,

She said no, nor would she have known how to do so.

She said also that she greatly prized this sword, since it was found in the church of Saint Catherine, whom she much loved. [XIX]

Asked whether she had placed her sword upon any altar,

She said no, as far as she knew, nor had she done so in order that it might have better fortune.

Asked if she had her sword when she was taken prisoner,

She said no, but that she had one which was taken from a Burgundian. [XX]

She added that she had this sword at Lagny, and from Lagny to CompiËgne she wore the Burgundian's sword, because it was a good sword for war, useful for giving hard clouts.

She said also that as to where she lost this sword, this had nothing to do with the trial, and she would not reply now. [LXIII]

Asked whether, when she was before the city of Orleans, she had a standard, and of what colour it was,

She replied that it had a field sown with fleurs‑de‑lis, and showed a world with an angel on either side, white in colour, of linen or boucassin; and she thought that the names JESUS MARIA were written on it; and it had a silk fringe.

Asked if these names JESUS MARIA were written at the top or the bottom, or along the side,

She answered that she thought they were along the side.

Asked which she preferred, her sword or her standard,

She replied that she was forty times fonder of her standard than she was of her sword.

Asked who persuaded her to have this design on her standard,

She said: I have told you often enough that I have done nothing save by God's command.

She said moreover that she herself bore her standard during an attack, in order to avoid killing anyone. And she added that she had never killed anyone at all. [LVIII]

Asked what forces her king gave her when he set her to work,

She answered, ten or twelve thousand men; and that at Orleans she went first to the fort of Saint Loup and then to that at the bridge [the Tourelles]. [LIII]

Asked at which fort she ordered her men to retire,

She said that she did not remember.

She said also that, through the revelation made to her, she was quite certain that she would relieve Orleans; adding that she had so informed her king before she went there.

Asked whether, in launching her attack before Orleans, she told her men that she would receive arrows, missiles and stones from the bombards,

She said no; there were a good hundred wounded, and maybe more. But she had told her men to have no fear, and they would raise the siege.

She also said that during the attack on the fort at the bridge she was wounded in the neck by an arrow, but she was greatly comforted by Saint Catherine, and was well again in a fortnight; nor did she give up either riding or her military command on account of this wound.

Asked whether she knew beforehand that she would be wounded,

She said that she well knew it, and had informed her king of it; but that notwithstanding she would not give up her work. And this was revealed to her by the voices of Saint Catherine and Saint Margaret.

She said also that she herself was the first to plant the ladder against the fort at the bridge; and it was while she was raising it that she was wounded in the neck by an arrow. [XXXIII]

Asked why she had not concluded a treaty with the captain of Jargeau,

She said that the lords of her party had told the English that they would not have the delay of a fortnight for which they had asked, but that they must go away immediately, and take their horses with them. And for her own part, she told them that they might go if they wished, in their doublets and tunics, safe and sound; if they did not, they would be taken by assault.

Asked whether she had any conversation with her counsel, that is to say her voices, as to whether or no to grant a delay,

She answered that she did not remember. [XVIII]

Fifth Session

1 March

Asked whether she had letters from the Comte d'Armagnac, asking her which of the three claimants to the Papacy should be obeyed,[17]

She answered that the count wrote a letter to this effect, to which she replied, amongst other matters, that when she was in Paris or anywhere else, when she had some time [to spare], she would give him a reply. She was just about to mount her horse when she gave this answer.

After this the letters from the count and from Jeanne were read, and she was asked whether it was her own letter in reply,

To which she said that she thought she had given such an answer, at any rate in part, if not the whole.

Questioned as to whether she said that she knew by the counsel of the King of kings what he ought to believe in this matter,

She answered that she knew nothing about it.

Asked if she were in any doubt as to whom the count should obey,

She said she did not know what to tell him as to whom he ought to obey for he desired to know whom Our Lord wished him to obey. But as for herself, she held and believed that one ought to obey our lord the Pope at Rome.

She added that she had said other things to the messenger than what is contained in the letter. If he had not gone away so hurriedly he would have been thrown into the water, though not through her.

She said also that with reference to his inquiry as to whom it pleased God that he should obey, she answered that she did not know, but sent him many messages which were not put into writing. As for herself, she believed in the Pope at Rome.

Asked why she had written that she would give him a further answer, since she believed in the Pope at Rome,

She replied that the answer she had given referred to another matter than the three Popes.

Asked if she had ever said she would have counsel concerning the three Popes,

She said that she had never written or caused to be written anything concerning the three Popes. And she swore on oath that on this subject she had neither written nor caused to be written anything at all. [XXVI]

She said also that before seven years are past the English will have lost a greater stake than they did before the town of Orleans, for they will have lost all they hold in France.

She added, as before, that she knew this by revelation, as well as she knew that we, the Bishop of Beauvais, were there present before her, saying in the French tongue: Je le sÁay aussi bien comme vous estes ici.[18]

And this she knew by the revelation given her; and that it would come to pass before seven years are past; and she was much grieved that it should be so long delayed.

Asked in what year,

She answered: You will not yet learn this; but I hope it may be before Saint John's Day.

Asked whether she had said it would come to pass before Saint Martin's Day in winter,

She replied that she had said that many events would be seen before Saint Martin's Day; and it might be that the English would be overthrown.

Asked what she had said to John Grey, her gaoler in the prison, concerning Saint Martin's Day,

She answered: I have already told you.

Questioned as to through whom she knew that this would come to pass,

She replied that it was through Saint Catherine and Saint Margaret. [XXXIII]

Asked whether, since the previous Tuesday, she had often spoken with Saint Catherine and Saint Margaret,

She said yes, both yesterday and to‑day; but she does not know at what time; and there is no day when she does not hear them. [X]

Asked whether the saints always appeared to her in the same dress,

She answered that she [always sees them] in the same form; and their heads are richly crowned; of their other clothing she does not speak, and of their robes she knows nothing. [XLV]

Asked how she knows whether it is a man or woman who appears to her,

She answered that she was certain it was those saints by their voices, and by what they told her.

Asked what part of them she saw,

She answered, the face.

Asked whether they had hair,

She replied: Assuredly; in the French tongue, Il est bon a savoir.

Asked if there was anything between their crowns and their hair,

She answered, no.

Asked if their hair were long and hung down,

She replied: I do not know.

She added that she did not know if they had anything in the nature of arms or other members.

She said moreover that they spoke most excellently and beautifully; and that she understood them perfectly.

Asked how they spoke, when they had no other members,

She answered: I leave that to God. [XXXIV]

She said that the voice was lovely, sweet and low in tone, and spoke in French.

Asked if that voice, that is to say Saint Margaret, spoke English,

She answered: Why should she speak English? She is not on the side of the English. [XLIII]

Asked who gave her the ring which the Burgundians have,

She answered, her father or mother; and she thought that JESUS MARIA was written on it. But she did not know who had had this written; she did not think there was any stone in it; and it was given to her at Domremy.

She said also that her brother had given her a ring which we, the bishop, now have; and she requested us to give it to the church.

She said further that she had never cured anyone with any of her rings. [XX]

Asked whether Saint Catherine and Saint Margaret had spoken to her beneath the tree,

She answered: I do not know.

Being repeatedly asked if the saints had spoken to her at the aforementioned spring,

She replied yes; and she had heard them there. But what they then said to her she does not know.

Being again asked if they had made any promises to her there or elsewhere,

She replied that they did not make any promise to her, except by leave of Our Lord. [V]

Asked what promises Saint Catherine and Saint Margaret made her,

She answered: This does not concern your trial at all.

Amongst other things, they told her that her king would be reestablished in his kingdom, whether his enemies wished it or no. [XXXIII]

She said also that the saints promised to bring her to Paradise, as she had asked them. [XLIV]

Asked whether they had promised her anything else, as well as to bring her to Paradise,

She replied that they had made her other promises, but she will not tell them. She said this did not concern her trial.

She said further that within three months she will reveal another promise.

Asked whether the saints had told her that within three months she would be freed from prison,

She answered: That is not in your trial. But she does not know when she will be freed.

She said also that those who wished to remove her from this world might well themselves go first.

Asked whether her counsel had told her that she would be freed from prison,

She answered: Ask me in three months' time, and I will then give you my reply.

She also requested that the assessors should give their opinions on oath as to whether this concerns the trial.

And afterwards, when the assessors had deliberated and come to the conclusion that it did concern the trial,

She said: I have always told you that you cannot know all.

And she added: One day I must be freed. And I wish to have leave to tell you [when]. And for this she begged a delay.

Asked if the saints forbade her to tell the truth,

She answered: Do you wish me to tell you the affairs of the King of France?

She said that there were many matters which did not concern the trial. [LX]

She said also that she was well assured that her king would regain his kingdom; this she knows as well as she knows us [the bishop] to be present here. [XXXIII]

She said also that she would be dead, were it not for the revelation which comforts her each day.

[LXIII]

Asked what she has done with her mandrake,[19]

She answered that she never had one; but that she had heard it said that there was one near her village; but that she had never seen it.

She had heard it said that it was a dangerous and evil thing to him who keeps it; but she does not know its purpose.

Asked where is the place where this thing of which she has heard [is to be found],

She replied that she had heard that it is in the ground near the tree, but she does not know the spot. But she has heard it said that over the place grows a tree called a hazel.

Asked what purpose this mandrake serves,

She answered that she had heard it said that it attracts money, but she does not believe it, and on this matter her voices have never told her anything at all.

Asked in what form Saint Michael appeared,

She answered that she did not see his crown; and as to his clothing, she knew nothing.

Asked if he were naked,

She answered: Do you think that Our Lord has not wherewithal to clothe him? [XXXI]

Questioned as to whether Saint Michael had his scales,[20]

She replied: I do not know.

She said that she had great joy when she saw him; and said also that he told her, when she saw him, that she was not in a state of mortal sin.

She said further that Saint Catherine and Saint Margaret gladly heard her confession, each in turn.

She also said that if she is in mortal sin, she is not aware of it.

Asked whether, when she made her confession, she ever thought she was in mortal sin,

She replied that she did not know if she were, but she did not believe that she had ever committed such sins. And please God [she added], I never did so, nor will I act in such a way that my soul should be guilty of mortal sin. [XXXIX]

Asked what sign she gave her king to show him that she came from God,

She answered: I have always told you that you will not drag that out of me. Go and ask him.

Asked whether she has sworn not to reveal what has been asked her touching the trial,

She said: I have told you before that I will not tell you anything concerning the king: but that which concerns the trial and the faith, I will tell you.

Asked if she did not know the sign,

She answered: You will not know that from me.

Being told that this concerns the trial,

She said: I will willingly tell you [other matters]; but the things I have promised to keep secret, I will not tell you.

And I have promised, so I cannot tell you without being forsworn.

Asked to whom she made this promise,

She said, to Saint Catherine and Saint Margaret; and it [the sign] was shown to the king.

She said also that she promised them without them asking her, and at her own request; and she said that too many people would have asked her if she had not promised.

Questioned whether, when she showed the sign, there was anyone present save the king,

She answered: I think there was no one but he, although there were a number of people fairly near.

Asked if she saw any crown on the king's head, when she showed him the sign,

She answered: I cannot tell you without perjuring myself [LX]

Asked if he had a crown at Rheims,

She answered that she thinks that the one he found at Rheims he took with pleasure. But a very rich one was brought later. And he did so to hasten [his coronation] at the request of the citizens of the town, to avoid the cost of the men‑at‑arms; and if he had waited, he would have been crowned with one a thousand times richer.

Asked whether she had seen this richer crown,

She answered: I cannot tell you without being forsworn; and although I have not seen it, I have heard that it was so rich. [LI]

And after these questions were done, the following Saturday was appointed, at the hour of eight in the morning. And the assessors were requested to assemble on this day at the said hour under certain penalties.

Sixth Session

3 March

The following Saturday, which was the third day of March, for the sixth session, appeared the said Jeanne. And she was required by the Court to swear simply and absolutely to tell the truth in everything that would be asked her.

She answered: I am ready to take the oath as I did formerly.

Whereupon she took the oath on the Holy Gospels.

Over and over again did MaÓtre Jean BeaupËre, by order of my lord the Bishop of Beauvais, put questions to Jeanne, repeating to her that she had said that Saint Michael had wings; and yet had not said anything of the bodies or limbs of Saint Catherine and Saint Margaret.

She answered: I have told you what I know; and I will not answer you further.

She said also that she had seen them so clearly that she was well assured that they were saints in heaven. [XLV]

Asked if she had seen more than their faces,

She answered: I have told you what I know. I would rather you cut my throat [than tell you more].

She said also that everything she knew touching the trial she would willingly tell.

Asked if Saint Michael and Saint Gabriel had natural heads,

She said: Yes, so I saw them. And I believe that it was they, as certainly as I believe that God exists.

Asked whether she believes that God made them with heads as she saw them,

She answered: I saw them with my own eyes. I will not say anything else.

Asked again whether she believes that God made them with heads as she saw them,

She answered yes. [XLVIII]

Questioned as to whether she believes that God created them in this form and shape from the beginning,

She answered: You will have nothing else from me for the present, seeing that I have answered.

Asked if she had seen or known by revelation that she would escape,

She answered: That does not concern your trial. Do you want me to speak against myself?

Asked if her voices had spoken to her about it,

She said: That is not in your trial. I refer to Our Lord, Who will do His pleasure.

She said further: By my faith, I know neither the hour nor the day. God's will be done. [LX]

Asked if her voices had said anything in general,

She said: Yes, indeed, they told me I should be delivered. But I know neither the day nor the hour. And [they told me] I must put a bold face on it. [XXXIII]

Asked whether, when she first came before her king, he asked her if it were by revelation that she changed her dress,

She answered: I have told you; although I do not remember if I was asked.

She said also that it was written down at Poitiers. [XIII]

Asked if the masters of the other allegiance[21] who examined her, some for a month and others for three weeks, had questioned her as to changing her dress,

She said: I do not remember.

But she said that they questioned her as to where she had taken man's dress; and she told them it was at Vaucouleurs.

Questioned as to whether they had asked whether she took it by [direction of] her voices,

She said: I do not remember.

Asked, when she first visited the queen, if she had asked her about this dress,

She said: I do not remember.

Asked if the king or the queen or others of her party had required her to put off her male dress and take that of a woman,

She answered: That is not in your trial.

Questioned whether she was not so required at Beaurevoir,

She answered: Yes, indeed. And I answered that I would not change it without Our Lord's leave.

She said also that the Demoiselle de Luxembourg asked my lord de Luxembourg not to hand her over to the English.

She said also that the Demoiselle de Luxembourg and the Lady of Beaurevoir offered her a woman's dress, or cloth to make one, asking her to wear it.

And she answered that she had not Our Lord's permission to do, and it was not yet time.

Asked if Messire Jean de Pressy[22] and others had not offered her a woman's dress, [XVI]

She answered: Both he and several others have offered me one on several occasions.

Asked whether she believed she would have done wrong or committed mortal sin in taking a woman's dress,

She answered that she did better to obey and serve her sovereign Lord, that is God, than men.

[XIII]

She also said that if she had to do so, she would sooner have done it at the request of these two ladies than of any other ladies in France, except the queen.

Asked whether, when God revealed to her that she should change her dress, it was by the voice of Saint Michael, Saint Catherine and Saint Margaret,

She said: You will have nothing else from me at present. [XVI]

Asked, when her king set her to work and she had her standard made, if the men‑at‑arms and other soldiers had pennons made after the style of hers,

She answered: It is certain that the lords kept their own arms and not [those of] others.

She said further that some of her companions in arms had them made according to their pleasure, and others not.

Asked of what material they had them made, whether of linen or cloth

She answered: Of white satin; and on some there were fleurs‑de-lis.

And she said that she had only two or three lances in her troop; but her companions in arms sometimes had theirs made like hers, only to know their own men from others.

Asked if they were often renewed,

She replied, I do not know. When the lances were broken, they had new ones made.

Asked if she had not said that the pennons made like hers were lucky,

She answered that she had several times said to them [her followers], Go boldly amongst the English. And she did the same herself.

Asked if she had told them to carry them boldly, and they would have good fortune,

She answered that she had indeed told them what had happened and would happen again.

Asked if she had sprinkled or had had sprinkled holy water on the persons when they were first carried,

She said: I know nothing of it; if it were done, it was not done by my orders.

Asked whether she had not seen it sprinkled,

She said: That is not in your trial. And if [she added] she had seen it sprinkled, she is not now advised to answer you.

Asked if her companions in arms had not put on their pennons JESUS MARIA.

She answered: By my faith, I know nothing of it.

Asked if she had ever carried or caused others to carry cloth of which to make pennons, in the manner of a procession, around a castle[23] or a church.

She said no, and had never seen it done. [XX]

Asked, when she was before Jargeau what it was that she wore behind her helmet, and if it was anything round,

She said: By my faith, there was nothing.

Asked if she ever knew Brother Richard,[24]

She answered: I had never seen him until I came before Troyes.

Asked what greeting Brother Richard gave her,

She answered that the people of Troyes sent him to her, as she thought, saying that they were doubtful as to whether she were sent by God.

And when he came near her he made the sign of the Cross, and sprinkled holy water.

And she said to him: Approach boldly. I shall not fly away.[25]

Asked if she had ever seen or had made pictures or images of herself or in her likeness,

She answered that she had seen at Rheims a picture in the hand of a Scotsman; and it looked like her in full armour, presenting a letter to her king, kneeling on one knee. And she had never seen or had made any other image or painting in her likeness.

Questioned as to a picture in the house of her host [at Orleans], on which was written JUSTICE, PEACE AND UNITY,

She answered that she knew nothing about it.

Asked if she was aware that some of her party had had Mass celebrated and prayers said for her,

She said she did not know. But if they had held a service it was not at her orders; and if they prayed for her, she is sure that they did no wrong.

Asked whether those of her party firmly believed that she was sent by God,

She answered: I do not know whether they believe it, and refer to their opinions. But even if they do not believe it, still I am sent from God.

Asked if she thinks that in believing she was sent from God they believed rightly,

She answered: If they believe that I am sent from God, they are not deceived. [XXI]

Asked if she were not well aware of the thoughts of those of her party, when they kissed her feet and hands and clothing,

She replied: Many people gladly came to see me. And that they kissed her clothing as little as she could help. But she said that the poor gladly came to her, because she did them no unkindness, but upheld and helped them as much as she could. [II]

Asked what honour the inhabitants of Troyes showed her on her arrival,

She answered: They showed me none.

She said also that, to the best of her memory, Brother Richard was among them at Troyes. But she does not remember if she saw him when she entered.

Asked if he had not preached a sermon when she arrived,

She answered that she only stayed a short time, and did not sleep [there]. And as for the sermon, she does not know. [LII]

Asked if she were many days at Rheims,

She replied: I think we were there four or five days.

Asked if she were not godmother to a child there,

She replied that she was once at Troyes. But at Rheims, she did not remember being so, nor at Ch‚teau‑Thierry. But she was twice a godmother at Saint Denis. And she gave the name Charles to the boys, in honour of her king; and Jeanne to the girls; at other times according as the mothers wished.

Asked if good women did not touch their rings with the ring she was wearing,

She answered: Many women touched her hands and her rings. But she does not know their thoughts or intentions.

Asked who were those of her company who caught butterflies in her standard before Ch‚teau‑ Thierry,[26]

She replied that it was never done or said by their party; but that those of the other party invented it.

Asked what she did at Rheims with the gloves when her king was crowned,