inary
inquiry as to the deeds and sayings of Jeanne.[2201]

[Footnote 2201: _Ibid._, pp. 28, 29.]

On Tuesday, the 13th of February, Jean d'Estivet, called Benedicite,
Promoter, Jean de la Fontaine, Commissioner, Boisguillaume and
Manchon, Registrars, and Jean Massieu, Usher, took the oath faithfully
to discharge their various offices. Then straightway Maitre Jean de la
Fontaine, assisted by two registrars, proceeded to the preliminary
inquiry.[2202]

[Footnote 2202: _Ibid._, pp. 29, 31.]

On Monday, the 19th of February, at eight o'clock in the morning, the
doctors and masters assembled, to the number of eleven, in the house
of the Bishop of Beauvais; there they heard the reading of the
articles and the preliminary information. Whereupon they gave it as
their opinion, and, in conformity with this opinion, the Bishop
decided that there was matter sufficient to justify the woman called
the Maid being cited and charged touching a question of faith.[2203]

[Footnote 2203: _Trial_, vol. i, pp. 31-33.]

But now a fresh difficulty arose. In such a trial it was necessary for
the accused to appear at once before the Ordinary and before the
Inquisitor. The two judges were equally necessary for the validity of
the trial. Now the Grand Inquisitor for the realm of France, Brother
Jean Graverent, was then at Saint-Lo, prosecuting on a religious
charge a citizen of the town, one Jean Le Couvreur.[2204] In the
absence of Brother Jean Graverent, the Bishop of Beauvais had invited
the Vice-Inquisitor for the diocese of Rouen to proceed against Jeanne
conjointly with himself. Meanwhile the Vice-Inquisitor seemed not to
understand; he made no response; and the Bishop was left in
embarrassment with his lawsuit on his hands.

[Footnote 2204: _Ibid._, p. 32. J. Quicherat, _Apercus nouveaux_, p.
102. De Beaurepaire, _Notes sur les juges_, pp. 24-27. Le P. Chapotin,
_La guerre de cent ans, Jeanne d'Arc et les dominicains_, pp. 141-143.
A. Sarrazin, _P. Cauchon_, p. 124.]

This Vice-Inquisitor was Brother Jean Lemaistre, Prior of the
Dominicans of Rouen, bachelor of theology, a monk right prudent and
scrupulous.[2205] At length in answer to a summons from the Usher, at
four o'clock on the 19th of February, 1413, he appeared in the house
of the Bishop of Beauvais. He declared himself ready to intervene
provided that he had the right to do so, which he doubted. As the
reason for his uncertainty he alleged that he was the Inquisitor of