Page:Celebrated Trials - Volume 1.djvu/76
conjectures, as appears from the deposition made at the process of revisal, by Thomas de Courcelles, one of the
clothes, fastened with many tags ; that her hair should be cropped round above the ears, and nothing appear upon her person indicating the female sex, save and except what nature had given her to distinguish the difference of the sexes. She confesses that she has frequently received the eucharist thus attired; and, although several times charitably spoken to and advised to resume the vestments of a woman, she could never be prevailed upon to acquiesce, explicitly stating, that she would rather die than change her dress, or that she would not do so unless by God's command; and that, if she wore the male costume with those in whose behalf she armed herself, and so acted prior to her capture and detention, it was one of the most signal services which could occur to the kingdom of France; adding, that for all the world she would not make oath that she never again would wear man's cloathing, or desist from bearing arms; and in saying thus much, she states, that she has acted well, and that she does right in obeying God and his orders.
ARTICLE VI.
She avows and agrees that she has caused several letters to be written, in which were the words, "Jesus Maria," and the figure of a cross; that she sometimes subjoined a second cross, and that the latter signified that what she mentioned in her letter was not to be put into effect; that in other letters she stated, that she would cause those to be executed who should not obey her letters and ordinances; that she should be recognized by the feats she performed, having the best right, even the order of the God of heaven; and she frequently asserts that she has performed nothing but by virtue of the revelations and commands of Gad.
ARTICLE VII.
She further says and avows, that when about seventeen years of age, she went, of her own accord, and by virtue of a revelation, to a certain esquire whom she had never seen, leaving the paternad roof against the will of her father and mother, who were almost bereft of their senses when made acquainted with her departure; that she entreated this esquire to conduct or cause her to be conveyed to the prince of whom we have previously spoken; that, in consequence, this captain, at her request, gave her a sword and the accoutrements of a men, and that he ordered a knight, a squire, and four valets, to escort her; that on arriving in the presence of the prince, she told him she was anxious to carry on the War against his adversaries, and at the same tine promised to procure for him a vast territory and to overcome his enemies, for which purpose she was despatched by the God of heaven; adding, that in all this she has acted rightly by the order of God, and in virtue of revelation.
ARTICLE VII.
She save and declares, that of herself, and without being forced