About this time Henry V of England died, and his son became heir to the throne. But the war against France was still being carried on. Just then the English were besieging the town of Orléans. This was in the fall of 1428. It seemed as though the city would be captured and the last stronghold of Charles would be lost to him. There were about 4,000 English besieging the city, and they planned to starve Orléans into surrender. It was then that the Voices advised Joan to save France.
THE LUXEMBOURG, PARIS
JOAN OF ARC, BY HENRI CHAPU
THE MAID OBEYS THE VOICES
Monograph Number Two in The Mentor Reading Course
Joan lived far away from Orléans; but her Voices kept saying to her that she must go and drive away the English from that town. She did not want to do this, as she preferred to live quietly in her native village. But the Voices were urgent, and so at last Joan went to a nearby town, Vaucouleurs, and asked the commander there to lend her an escort, so that she might go to King Charles of France at Chinon (Shee-nong). This commander, whose name was Robert de Baudricourt (Bó-dree-koor), laughed at her; but when Joan told him of a great disaster that had happened to the French army near Orléans at the time that it happened, whereas he did not hear of it until sometime later, he was convinced of her miraculous power, and sent her to Charles.
This was on February 23, 1429. After riding for several days, the maid and her band reached Chinon. Then there was more delay; but at last she was allowed to have an audience with the king. To test her power, Charles stood among a crowd of courtiers, clothed very simply; but without hesitation Joan knelt before him and said:
"Fair sir, you are the Dauphin to whom I am come."