overeign and liege Lord, in whose
service royal she is every day, that ye render true
obedience and fealty to the Fair King of France. Whosoever
may come against him, he shall shortly be in Reins
[Transcriber's Note: so in original] and in Paris, and in
his good towns of his holy kingdom, with the aid of King
Jhesus. Ye loyal Frenchmen, come forth to King Charles and
fail him not. And if ye come have no fear for your bodies
nor for your goods. An if ye come not, I promise you and on
your lives I maintain it, that with God's help we shall
enter into all the towns of the holy kingdom and shall there
establish peace, whosoever may oppose us. To God I commend
you. God keep you if it be his will. Answer speedily. Before
the city of Troyes, written at Saint-Fale, Tuesday the
fourth day of July.[1424]

[Footnote 1424: It should be Monday, 4th July.]

On the back:

"To the lords and burgesses of the city of Troyes."

The Maid gave this letter to Friar Richard, who undertook to carry it
to the townsfolk.[1425]

[Footnote 1425: J. Rogier, in _Trial_, vol. iv, p. 290.]

From Saint-Phal the army advanced towards Troyes along the Roman
road.[1426] When they heard of the army's approach, the Council of the
town assembled on Tuesday, the 5th, early in the morning, and sent the
people of Reims a missive of which the following is the purport:

[Footnote 1426: Th. Boutiot, _Histoire de la ville de Troyes_, vol.
ii, p. 493.]

"This day do we expect the enemies of King Henry and the
Duke of Burgundy who come to besiege us. In view of the
design of these our foes and having considered the just
cause we support and the aid of our princes promised unto
us, we have resolved in council, no matter what may be the
strength of our enemies, to continue in our obedience waxing
ever greater to King Henry and to the Duke of Burgundy,
even until death. And this have we sworn on the precious
body of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore we pray the
citizens of Reims to take thought for us as brethren and
loyal friends, and to send to my Lord the Regent and the
Duke of Burgundy to beseech and entreat them to take pity on
their poor subjects and come to their succour."[1427]

[Footnote 1427: J. Rogier, in _Trial_, vol. iv, pp. 288, 289.]

On that same day, in the morning, from his lodging at
Brinion-l'Archev