ed
through her descent from the Visconti.[1696] It was just as appropriate
to question the Maid concerning the Pope and the Anti-pope. But the
most difficult point in this question is to discover what were the
Count of Armagnac's reasons for consulting the Holy Maid on a matter
concerning which he appears to have been sufficiently informed. The
following seems the most probable.

[Footnote 1695: Cf. vol. i, p. 337 (W.S.).]

[Footnote 1696: According to Le Maire, _Histoire et antiquites de la
ville et duche d'Orleans_, p. 197, this request is addressed to
"Jeanne the Maid, greatly to be honoured and most devout, sent by the
King of Heaven for the restoration, and for the extirpation of the
English who tyrannize over France." _Trial_, vol. v, p. 253. Vallet de
Viriville, _Histoire de Charles VII_, vol. ii, p. 131.]

Jean IV was prepared to recognise Martin V as Pope; but he desired his
submission to appear honourable and reasonable. Wherefore he conceived
the idea of ascribing his conduct to the command of Jesus Christ,
speaking through the Holy Maid. But it was necessary for the command
to be in accordance with his wishes. The letter provides for that. He
is careful to indicate to Jeanne, and consequently to God, what reply
would be suitable. He lays stress on the fact that Martin V, who had
recently excommunicated him, was elected at Constance by the consent
of all Christian nations, that he dwells at Rome and that he is obeyed
by all Christian kings. He points out on the other hand the
circumstances which invalidate the election of Clement VIII by only
three cardinals, and the still more ridiculous election of that
Benedict, who was chosen by a conclave consisting of only one
cardinal.[1697]

[Footnote 1697: Noel Valois, _La France et le grand schisme d'Occident_,
vol. iv (1902), in 8vo, _passim_.]

After such a setting forth could there possibly remain a single doubt
as to whether Pope Martin was the true pope? But such guile was lost
on Jeanne; it escaped her entirely. The Count of Armagnac's letter,
which she had read to her as she was mounting her horse, must have
struck her as very obscure.[1698] The names of Benedict, of Clement and
of Martin she had never heard. The Saints, Catherine and Margaret,
with whom she was constantly holding converse, revealed to her nothing
concerning the Pope. They spoke to her of nought save of the realm of
France; and Jeanne's prudence generally led her to confine her
prophec