le Lowe.]

[Footnote 2614: "And was recognised by divers tokens" (_enseignes_)
(_Trial_, vol. v, p. 322). M. Lecoy de la Marche (_Une fausse Jeanne
d'Arc_, in _Revue des questions historiques_, October, 1871, p. 565),
and M. Gaston Save (_Jehanne des Armoises, Pucelle d'Orleans_, Nancy,
1893, p. 11) understand that she was recognised by several officers or
ensigns (_enseignes_). I have interpreted _enseignes_ in the ordinary
sense of marks on the skin, birth-marks. (Cf. La Curne.)]

[Footnote 2615: _Chronique du doyen de Saint-Thibaud_, in _Trial_,
vol. v, p. 322.]

We do not know by what means she claimed to have escaped death; but
there is reason to think[2616] that she attributed her deliverance to
her holiness. Did she say that an angel had saved her from the fire?
It might be read in books how in the ancient amphitheatres lions
licked the bare feet of virgins, how boiling oil was as soothing as
balm to the bodies of holy martyrs; and how according to many of the
old stories nothing short of the sword could take the life of God's
maidens. These ancient histories rested on a sure foundation. But if
such tales had been related of the fifteenth century they might have
appeared less credible. And this damsel does not seem to have employed
them to adorn her adventure. She was probably content to say that
another woman had been burned in her place.

[Footnote 2616: _Journal d'un bourgeois de Paris_, p. 354.]

According to a confession she made afterwards, she came from Rome,
where, accoutred in harness of war, she had fought valiantly in the
service of Pope Eugenius. She may even have told the Lorrainers of the
feats of prowess she had there accomplished.

Now Jeanne had prophesied (at least so it was believed) that she would
die in battle against the infidel and that her mantle would fall upon
a maid of Rome. But such a saying, if it were known to these nobles of
Metz, would be more likely to denounce this so-called Jeanne as an
imposture than witness to the truth of her mission.[2617] However this
might be, they believed what this woman told them.

[Footnote 2617: Nevertheless see on this subject M. Germain
Lefevre-Pontalis, who is our authority for this prophecy (Eberhard
Windecke, pp. 108-111).]

Perhaps, like many a noble of the republic,[2618] they were more
inclined to King Charles than to the Duke of Burgundy. And we may be
sure that, chivalrous knights as they were, they esteemed chivalry
wherever they