Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1878-12-27
SCRAP OF ANCIENT HISTORY.
Rise and Fall OF Joan De Arc Briefly
Told

In the beginning Of the 18th century, Eng
land had possessions on the Continent. and
a claim to the throne Of France, in the infant
son of Henry v, of England, by the Princes
Catharine, of France. Charles W., the old
King, died. aud the dauphiu took the throne as
Charles VII, and was crowned at Pointers.
The duke of Bedford exerted himself to sup
port the French crown for the infant heir.
Henry VI. and the dauphin, Charles VII made
all possible efirts 10 recover his claims.
Here the parties were at issue. James |. was
at this time in prison in Eng gIand, and the
Scots showed their resentment by supporting
with their arms the cause of the dauphin,
Charles VII. To obviate this the Eng
agreeable to the advice of the regent, the duke
of Bedford, entered iutn alliance with James
and set him at liberty but he was soon murd-
cred by his knsman, the earl Of Athol, 1887.
The duke regent overran France and gained
the battle of Vernui. which appeared to be
ruinous to the cause of CHARLES VII. but by a
wonderful train of events, proved rulnUus to
the cause at the regent. and accustomed the loss
| nf all the English possessions on tile continent.
The city of Orleans had now become the key
Of the c0ntending parties, and covered their
divided provinces. Charles held possession,
and the dnke regent resolved to dispossess him;
all Europe considered the fate of the Kingdom
TO depend on the seige Of Orleans; the con-
tending parties exerted all their valOr and
prowess upon both sides; Charles VII began
| to despair, and actually made arrangements
to withdraw into Languedoc and Dauphiny, for
| the security of his army.
| The kind remonstrance Of his queen and
other favorites at court, diverted Charles from
| his purpose and he resolved tosdetend the city
| At this critical mlment very singular ad
venture arrested The attention Of Europe Joan
| De Arc, country girl OF the village OF Dom
rimi on the borders of Lnrrain, from low aud
obscure station, was raised up as the deliverer
Of the city Of Orleans.
Joan announced that by immediate com
municaliuns from heaven, she bad received a
/ special commission to go aud relieve the city
| She went to the governor Of the city Vau
! couleurs and obtained his permission to repair
| to the court of Charles VII. at Chiuon; there
she was favorably received, offered to execute
! the commission of heaven, and deliver the
| city and demanded a particular sword in the
church of St, Catherine Fierbois.
| A lter serious and mature deliberation, heI
request was granted aud the sword delivered
Joan, armed cap-a-pie, and mounted ON horse
back, took her departure at the head OF q
| numerous relinue, and entered the city oi
! Orleans, arrayed in her armOr, under the dis
| play Of her cnnsecrated standard, and amids
| the acclamatnns of the garrison aud citizens.
The scene was opened Joan had promised
! to raise the siege Of Orleans aud caHse Charles
/ to bA crowned at Rheims the one was in
| vested, hut tho other lay IN a remote part o
the Kingdom, guarded by detachmeuts OF Eng
lish troops, in all the passes that led to it
general anxiety began TO show itself iO tn
! English army, aud heayiness had seized thei
| spirits. Joan joined count DHnnis the comman
der of Orlsans, and by several desperate an,
successful sallies, drove the English from thei
inirenchments, aud actually obliged them t
| raise the siege.
She then pressed Charles to accompany he
immediately To Rheims which he did, at til
head 0f ~ 900 men. Their march was Tapi
and easy Rheims opened her gates, and al
aud Charles entered In triumph, Charles VII
| was crowned, aud anointed with that belly 0i
which the pigeon was said to have brough
from heaven to Clovis and all France wa
ready to submit 10 his authority.
This simple story needs no comment w
will pursue the facts in their consequences
To counlerbalance this, the duke regent sen
for the young king from Engand, Henry vi
and had him crowned, aud conducted all hi
movements with the caution OF Fabius, I
elude the attack Of Charles,
Joan, at the coronation of Charles at Rheim,
declared her commission closed, aud dc
manded permission 10 retire, but was over
persuaded to attempt the defence Of The tow
Of Compeign. then besieged by tie duke, Her
she attempted the same sallies as al Orleans
was taken prisoner, condemned by an eelesi
aslioal court asa witch aud a sOreeress, an
committed 10 ihe flames.
Thus pershed the heroine Of Orleans, VIII
deserved a better fate, in 1881.