The Maid set out for the deliverance of the besieged city in a man’s attire, deeming it more modest under her circumstances, and exposing her to fewer annoyances.  She was arrayed in a suit of beautiful armor, with a banner after her own device,—­white, embroidered with lilies,—­and a sword which had been long buried behind the altar of a church.  Under her inspiring influence an army of six thousand men was soon collected, commanded by the ablest and most faithful generals who remained to the King, and accompanied by the Archbishop of Rheims, who, though he had no great faith in her claims, yet saw in her a fitting instrument to arouse the people from despair.  Before setting out from Blois she dictated a letter to the English captains before the besieged city, which to them must have seemed arrogant, insulting, and absurd, in which she commanded them in God’s name to return to their own country, assuring them that they fought not merely against the French, but against Him, and hence would be defeated.

The French captains had orders to obey their youthful leader, but not seeing the wisdom of her directions to march to Orleans on the north side of the Loire, they preferred to keep the river between them and the forts of the English.  Not daring to disobey her, they misled her as to the position of Orleans, and advanced by the south bank, which proved a mistake, and called forth her indignation, since she did not profess to be governed by military rules, but by divine direction.  The city had been defended by a series of forts and other fortifications of great strength, all of which had fallen into the hands of the besiegers; only the walls of the city remained.  Joan succeeded in effecting an entrance for herself on a white charger through one of the gates, and the people thronged to meet her as an angel of deliverance, with the wildest demonstrations of joy.  Her first act was to repair to the cathedral and offer up thanks to God; her next was to summon the enemy to retire.  In the course of a few days the French troops entered the city with supplies.  They then issued from the gates to retake the fortifications, which were well defended, cheered and encouraged by the heroic Maid, who stimulated them to daring deeds.  The French were successful in their first assault, which seemed a miracle to the English yeomen, who now felt that they were attacked by unseen forces.  Then other forts were assailed with equal success, Joan seeming like an inspired heroine, with her eyes flashing, and her charmed standard waving on to victory.  The feats of valor which the French performed were almost incredible.  Joan herself did not fight, but stimulated the heroism of her troops.  The captains led the assault; the Maid directed their movements.  After most of the forts were retaken, the troops wished to rest.  Joan knew no rest, nor fear, nor sense of danger.  She would hear of no cessation from bloody strife until all the fortifications were regained.  At the assault on the last fort she herself was wounded; but she was as insensible to pain as she was to fear.  As soon as her wound was dressed she hurried to the ramparts, and encouraged the troops, who were disposed to retire.  By evening the last fort or bastile was taken, and the English retired, baffled and full of vengeance.  The city was delivered.  The siege was raised.  Not an Englishman survived south of the Loire.