IN the text I have shown that Jeanne's account of the attack on Paris (September 8, 1429) is precisely corroborated by that of a cool observer within the walls, Fauquemberque. The Maid said that the nobles intended to make an escarmouche, a military demonstration. 1 Fauquemberque says twice that they hoped to do more by a popular tumult within than by force of arms from without. 2

M. France says that the attack was undoubtedly decided on in the Royal Council. No doubt it was ; but of his eight citations in proof, not one proves the fact, and the whole responsibility is thrown on Jeanne by the Accuser. 3

"The Maid was not, it seems, informed as to the resolutions taken.*' The four citations given in proof do not say a word to this effect. 4 Jeanne remarks that the nobles intended to make a demonstration, while she meant to go through with the attack. Now their intention, as Fauquemberque asserts, was to make a demonstration, and raise a tumult ; and Jeanne knew that.

Had they meant business, as M. France supposes, on the evidence of their lost masses of siege material, they would not have begun at two in the afternoon, and placed their guns " a little behind Windmill Hill, in shelter from the fowlers, culverins, and guns of Paris." 5 They were behind the hill in ambush, hoping to fall on any sortie made by the garrison.6 If their guns were capable of bombarding the town from behind a hill which con- cealed the presence of the main body of the army, the ambush was betrayed by the guns.

1 Prods, vol. i. pp. 146, 147.
2 Ibid., vol. iv. pp. 456-458.
3 France, vol. ii. p. 73, note 2.
4 Ibid., vol. ii. p. 73> note 3.
5 Ibid., vol. ii. p. 75.
6 Chartier, Prods, vol. iv. p. 87.

As to leaving their siege material behind, they knew that the besieged would not sally forth to look for it ; and they did not. 1 The Maid was up at dawn, though wounded, 2 and, of course, meant to return and recover the siege material ; but the King sent two princes of the blood to stop her march. 3

Consequently the siege material and 700 waggons fell into the hands of the unmolested people and garrison of Paris. Thus, at least, I interpret the evidence. The blame lies on the King.

1 France, vol. ii. p. So.
2 Ibid., vol. ii. p. 82.
3 Ibid., vol. ii. pp. 82, 83.