rom her enemies. You shall shortly be crowned in
the cathedral of Rheims (_remz_). I am to lead the soldiers you
are about to send for the relief of Orleans. So God has directed
and under my guidance victory will be theirs."

The king and his nobles talked the matter over and finally it was
decided to allow Joan to lead an army of about five thousand men
against the English at Orleans.

When she left Chinon at the head of her soldiers, in April, 1429,
she was in her eighteenth year. Mounted on a fine war-horse and
clad in white armor from head to foot, she rode along past the
cheering multitude, "seeming rather," it has been said, "of heaven
than earth." In one hand she carried an ancient sword that she had
found near the tomb of a saint, and in the other a white banner
embroidered with lilies.

The rough soldiers who were near her left off their oaths and coarse
manners, and carefully guarded her. She inspired the whole army
with courage and faith as she talked about her visions.

When she arrived at the besieged city of Orleans she fearlessly
rode round its walls, while the English soldiers looked on in
astonishment. She was able to enter Orleans, despite the efforts
of the besiegers to prevent her.

She aroused the city by her cheerful, confident words and then led
her soldiers forth to give battle to the English. Their success
was amazing. One after another the English forts were taken.

[Illustration: THE CAPTURE OF ORLEANS BY JOAN OF ARC]

When only the strongest remained and Joan was leading the attacking
force, she received a slight wound and was carried out of the battle
to be attended by a surgeon. Her soldiers began to retreat. "Wait,"
she commanded, "eat and drink and rest; for as soon as I recover I
will touch the walls with my banner and you shall enter the fort."
In a few minutes she mounted her horse again and riding rapidly
up to the fort, touched it with her banner. Her soldier almost
instantly carried it. The very next day the enemy's troops were
forced to withdraw from before the city and the siege was at end.

The French soldiers were jubilant at the victory and called Joan
the "Maid of Orleans." By this name she is known in history. Her
fame spread everywhere, and the English as well as the French thought
she had more than human power.

She led the French in several other battles, and again and again
her troops were victorious.

At last the English were driven far to the north of Franc