Page:Outlines of European History.djvu/508

 432 Outlines of European History Execution of Joan, 1431 England loses her French possessions her sovereign. But her own firm faith in her divine guidance triumphed over all doubts and obstacles. She was at last ac- cepted as a God-sent champion and placed at the head of some troops dispatched to the relief of Orle'ans. This city, which was the key to southern France, had been besieged by the English for some months and was on the point of surrender. Joan, who rode at the head of her troops, clothed in armor like a man, had now become the idol of the soldiers and of the people. Under the guidance and inspiration of her courage, sound sense, and burning enthusiasm, Orleans was relieved and the English completely routed. The Maid of Orle'ans, as she was hence- forth called, was now free to conduct the king to Rheims, where he was crowned in the cathedral (July 17, 1429). The Maid now felt that her mission was accomplished and begged permission to return to her home and her brothers and sisters. To this the king would not consent, and she continued to fight his battles with success. But the other leaders were jealous of her, and even her friends, the soldiers, were sensitive to the taunt of being led by a woman. During the defense of Compiegne in May, 1430, she was allowed to fall into the hands of the Duke of Burgundy, who sold her to the English. They were not satisfied with simply holding as prisoner that strange maiden who had so discomfited them ; they wished to discredit everything that she had done, and so declared, and undoubtedly believed, that she was a witch who had been helped by the devil. She was. tried by a court of clergymen, found guilty, and burned at Rouen in 1431. Her bravery and noble con- stancy affected even her executioners, and an English soldier who had come to triumph over her death was heard to ex- claim, " We are lost — we have burned a saint." The English cause in France was indeed lost, for her spirit and example had given new courage and vigor to the French armies. The English Parliament became more and more reluctant to grant funds when there were no more victories gained. From this time on the English lost ground steadily. They were