The farmer and mechanic., 1915-08-31
FAMOUS WOMEN IN HISTORY
BY MARY HIILIARD HINTON.



recovery of France.
When her parents learned of her
determination to do the bidding of her
Heavenly Voices they protested with
tears, saying that they would prefer
to see her drowned rather than sub
jected to the contamination OF the
camp With an uncle who had re-
counted her story to the Captain of
Naucouleurs only to meet with coarse
LAUGHTER and the admonitiOn, BOX her
ears and send her home she repaired
to de Baudricourt for temporal sup
port. Her faith was of that kind that |
heeds no obstacles. Even the doubt |
ing de Baudricourt was ere long 81 |
fenced and furnished her with an es- |
cort to convey her to the presence of |
the lawful king, then abiding at Chi |
non with remnant of court.
When she arrived at that city new
| impediment arose, the dauphin de-
clined to see her. His cOunSelOrS held
divided opinions, some believing her
| mad. others that she was in league
with the Evil One. Again her per-
sstence won and the dauphin consent
| ed to admit her into the court circle,
| but at the same time removed all
signs Of rank and mingled with his
| cOurtierS, thinking, eff she be of God
she will come direct to the only one
! having royal blood" She walked at
once through the assembled court and
knelt before the dauphin saying Cen
tie Prince, God give you new life"
But there is the king over yOnder,"
| replied the prince, testing her still
| further. "By my God, gracious prince,
you are the king and none other" in
sisted the maid. Then she unfolded
her mission to end with his coronation
in the sacred cathedral at Rheims.
The dauphin desired that she might
be first accepted by the clergy of the
University of Poitiers. but to Orleans
she begged to be sent with an armed
force. AS a proof one of the clergy
asked that she might win victories.
"By my God" she answered, cit is not
to Poitiers l have been sent to give
signs; take me to Orleans with as few
soldiers as you please. The sign I am
to give is the raising of the siege"
J In the end Joan Of Arc was success
} full A bodyguard was assigned her a
portion of the army was placed under
J her command, and a standard was
made according to the instructions Of
the voices she directed; this she
valued forty times more than her
sword, which she dearly loved, pre-
ferring the former to the latter be-
7 cause it did not bring bloodshed This
unique banner was Of white satin,
? strewn with fleur de lis and on it
was the image Of Christ in glory and
e the words, "Jesus Maria To her
! was presented suit Of silvery white
2 armor and black charger, afterwards
! a pure white one. She wore no helmet
8 but her fair long hair, parted, hung
' down, tied back with a ribbon, and
e formed more striking oriflamme
, than did any famed white plume of
: Navarro. Directed by vision her
g sword was to be St. GATHERINGS Cher
e patron Saint's). In tomb near the
n high altar in ST. GATHERINGS Church at
L
S weapon bearing the mark Of five
e crosses on the blade.
It Was ever a war conducted in such 9
Cody manner before or since? She
IS was the first to demonstrate that God
Il fearing men make the best soldiers
n To Dunois, La Hire and other trained
, officers she recognized as best in the
r camp she left the military engage
l. ment, but to the moral discipline sht
c. paid StricteSt attention. There was NJ
1t following; cards, dice, implements o
le sorcery, profanity, were banished from
n the ranks. and instead she compelled
Us generals and soldiers alike to attenl
ii confessional and at every halt the sac
l. rament was administered. Her chap
J. lain and priests accompanied the arm
IN at her express orders. To the mel
10 she was heaven sent holy maid
e. whose destiny it was to restore Franc
Id to her own. Orleans. regarded as tn
er Loire, was the objective point of he
lg campaign. On that fortified town de
al key to the provinces south Of tn
ly pended the fate of the kingdom. Sh
IL re-provisioned and re-enforced tn
Sc city: The English did not accept he
I'D challenge to battle. One night sh
n awoke suddenly, exclaiming, carr
AS me! Arm me! am commanded to al
es tack the enemy. Great God, the bloc
"a of France is flowing! Why did you NJ
as, call me sooner" Her attendant
I'M were amazed, but prepared her for tn
ng conflict, though no signal had bee
to given. On sallying forth the armit
m were in reality engaged. She inspire
ir- the French who instead of retreatin
De- turned back and were victorious wit
Ter her presence She fought valiant
ch, herself In another encounter she r.
aw ceiyed an arrow wound between tt
,p- neck and the shoulder while placir