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The two countries to be joined under the same king

173. Arrange-
ments of
Henry for
the govern-
ment of
England and
France

Item, the two crowns of France and England shall remain perpetually united, and shall be vested in one person, that is to say, in the person of our said son King Henry as long as he shall live, and after his death in the persons of his heirs who shall reign successively one after the other.

Item, that now and forever all dissension, hatred, rancor, enmity, and war between the said kingdoms of France and England shall be allayed, suppressed, and stopped entirely, and that the people of these two kingdoms shall adhere to this said peace; and between the two said kingdoms there shall be agreement, now and forever, in the future to maintain peace, tranquillity, unity, and mutual affection, together with a strong and stable friendship; and that these two said kingdoms will help those who help them, and give mutual aid and assistance against all persons who bring violence, injury, grief, or loss to them, or to one of them; and that they talk matters over and contract freely and securely the one with the other in paying the customs and accustomed duties.

The dying instructions of Henry V are recorded by the chronicler Thomas of Elmham.

Three days before his death, having summoned into his presence the dukes of Bedford and Exeter and other nobles of his household, he spoke tranquilly to them as follows: "It is certain," he said, "that I cannot escape death, which is already near at hand. If, therefore, during my reign I have ruled otherwise than I ought, or have done any one injustice, of which I believe the contrary, as a suppliant I pray for pardon. For your good services, especially in these wars, I give thanks to you and to all your fellow-soldiers; for which, if death had not prevented me, I intended to reward each according to his deserts. I command you to continue the wars until peace is made, to which wars, I declare before God, I was drawn neither by ambitious lust for power, nor by vainglory, nor by worldly honor, nor by any other such cause, but solely that by pursuing my just claim I might obtain at once peace and right. To my brother, the duke of Bedford, I decree that the custody and government of the duchy of

Normandy shall be committed until my son reaches years of discretion. The protector and defender of England shall be my brother, the duke of Gloucester. My uncle, the duke of Exeter, my chamberlain, and Hungerford, steward of my household, I wish and desire to be in attendance on the person of my son.

III. JOAN OF ARC AND THE CLOSE OF THE HUNDRED
YEARS' WAR

The career of Joan of Arc is one of perennial interest as well as historical importance. The account of her first exploits here given is from a contemporary French chronicler.

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In the course of this year, a young girl called Joan, about 174. Extracts twenty years old, and dressed like a man, came to Charles, from Monking of France, at Chinon. She was born in the town of chronicle Domremy, on the borders of Burgundy and Lorraine, not far (1429) from Vaucouleurs, and had been for some time hostler and chambermaid at an inn, and had shown much courage in riding horses to water, and in other feats unusual for young girls to do. She was instructed how to act, and sent to the king by Sir Robert de Baudricourt, knight, governor of Vaucouleurs, who supplied her with horses and from four to six men as an escort. She called herself a maiden inspired by the divine grace, and said that she was sent to restore King Charles to his kingdom, whence he had been unjustly driven and which was now reduced to so deplorable a state.

She remained about two months in the king's court, frequently urging him to give her men and support, so that she might repulse his enemies and exalt his name. The king and council, in the meantime, knew not how to act; for they put no great faith in what she said, considering her as one out of her senses; for to such noble persons the expressions she used are dangerous to be believed, as well for fear of the anger of the Lord, as for the blasphemous discourses which they may occasion in the world. After some time, however, she was promised men-at-arms and support; a standard was also given

The siege of
Orleans

her, on which she caused to be painted a representation of our Creator. All her conversation was of God, on which account great numbers of those who heard her had great faith in what she said, and believed her inspired, as she declared herself to be. She was many times examined by learned clerks, and other prudent persons of rank, to find out her real intentions; but she kept to her purpose, and always replied, that if the king would believe her, she would restore to him his kingdom. In the meantime she did several acts which shall be hereafter related that gained her great renown. When she came first to the king, the duke d'Alençon, the king's marshal, and other captains were with him, for he had held a grand council relative to the siege of Orleans. From Chinon the king went to Poitiers, accompanied by the Maid.

Shortly after, the marshal was ordered to convey provisions and stores, under a strong escort, to the army within Orleans. Joan asked to accompany him, and that armor should be given her, which was done. She then displayed her standard and went to Blois, where the escort was to assemble, and thence to Orleans, always dressed in complete armor. On this expedition many warriors served under her; and when she arrived at Orleans great feasts were made for her, and the garrison and townsmen were delighted at her coming among them. ...

The English captains had continued their siege of Orleans about seven months, and had much straitened it by their batteries and towers, of which they had erected not less than sixty. The besieged, sensible of the peril they were in of being conquered, resolved to defend themselves to the last, and sent to King Charles for reënforcements of men and a supply of stores and provisions. From four to five hundred combatants were first sent; but they were followed by seven thousand more, who escorted a convoy of provisions up the river Loire. With these last came Joan the Maid, who had already done some acts that had increased her reputation. The English attempted to cut off this convoy; but it was well defended by the Maid and those with her, and brought with safety to Orleans, to the great joy of the inhabitants, who made good cheer, and were rejoiced at its safe arrival and the coming of the Maid.

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On the morrow, which was a Thursday, Joan rose early, and The beginaddressing herself to some of the principal captains, prevailed ning of sucon them to arm and follow her, for she wished, as she said, French to attack the enemy, being fully assured they would be vanquished. These captains and other warriors, surprised at her words, were induced to arm and make an assault on the tower of St. Loup, which was very strong and garrisoned with from three to four hundred English. They were, notwithstanding the strength of the blockhouse, soon defeated, and all killed or made prisoners, and the fortification was set on fire and demolished. The Maid, having accomplished her purpose, returned with the nobles and knights who had followed her to the town of Orleans, where she was greatly feasted and honored by all ranks. The ensuing day she again made a sally, with a certain number of combatants, to attack another of the English forts, which was as well garrisoned as the former one, but which was, in like manner, destroyed by fire, and those within put to the sword. On her return to the town after this second exploit she was more honored and respected than ever.

On the next day, Saturday, she ordered the tower at the end of the bridge to be attacked. This was strongly fortified, and had within it the flower of the English chivalry and menat-arms, who defended themselves for a long time with the utmost courage; but it availed them nothing, for by dint of prowess they were overcome, and the greater part put to the sword. On this occasion were slain a valiant English captain named Classendale, the lord Molins, the bailiff of Evreux, and many more warriors of great and noble estate.

The Maid, after this victory, returned to Orleans with the nobles who had accompanied her, and with but little loss of men. Notwithstanding that at these attacks Joan was, according to common fame, supposed to have been the leader, she had with her all the most expert and gallant captains, who, for the most part, daily served at this siege of Orleans, mention of whom has been before made. Each of these three captains exerted himself manfully at these attacks, so that from six to eight thousand combatants were killed or taken, while the French did not lose more than one hundred men of all ranks.

The relief of Orleans

175. A letter from Joan of Arc

The ensuing Sunday, the English captains, namely, the earl of Suffolk, Lord Talbot, Lord Scales, and others, seeing the destruction of their forts and the defeat of their men, resolved, after some deliberation, to form the remains of their army into one body, march out of their camp, and wait, prepared for an engagement, should the enemy be willing to offer them battle; otherwise, they would march away in good order to such towns as were under their obedience. This resolution they instantly executed on Sunday morning, when they abandoned their forts, setting fire to several, and drew up in battle array, expecting the French would come to fight them; but they had no such intentions, having been exhorted to the contrary by Joan the Maid. The English, having waited a considerable time for them in vain, marched away, lest their forces might be further diminished without prospect of success.

At the time Joan appeared before Orleans she dictated the following striking letter to a clerk and had it sent to the English commanders.

(Jesus, Mary.) King of England, and you, duke of Bedford, who call yourselves regent of the realm of France, you William de la Pole, earl of Suffolk, John, Lord Talbot, and you Thomas, Lord Scales, who call yourselves lieutenants of the said duke of Bedford: Do right to the King of heaven, deliver to the Maid, who is sent here by God, the King of heaven, the keys of all the good towns which you have taken and destroyed in France. She is come hither from God to restore the royal blood. She is ready to make peace if you are willing to do right to her, and on condition that you will quit France and pay back that which you have taken there. And you, archers, comrades of war, gentlemen and others who are before the city of Orleans, go away to your own country, in God's name; and if you do not thus, await tidings of the Maid, who will, ere long, come to see you to your very great hurt.

King of England, if you do not thus, I am the chief of the war, and in whatever place I shall find your men in France, I shall drive them out, whether they will or no; and if they will not obey, I will have them all slain.

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