Jeanne was then brought back to Chinon, where she was lodged in one of the great towers still standing, though no special room is pointed out as hers.  And there she was subjected to another process, more penetrating still than the interrogations of the graver tribunals.  The Queens and their ladies and all the women of the Court took her in hand.  They inquired into her history in every subtle and intimate feminine way, testing her innocence and purity; and once more she came out triumphant.  The final judgment was given as follows:  “After hearing all these reports, the King taking into consideration the great goodness that was in the Maid, and that she declared herself to be sent by God, it was by the said Seigneur and his council determined that from henceforward he should make use of her for his wars, since it was for this that she was sent.”

It was now necessary to equip Jeanne for her service.  She had a maison, an etat majeur, or staff, formed for her, the chief of which, Jean d’Aulon, already distinguished and worthy of such a trust never left her thenceforward until the end of her active career.  Her chaplain, Jean Pasquerel, also followed her fortunes faithfully.  Charles would have given her a sword to replace the probably indifferent weapon given her by Baudricourt at Vaucouleurs; but Jeanne knew where to find the sword destined for her.  She gave orders that someone should be sent to Fierbois, the village at which she had paused on her way to Chinon, to fetch a sword which would be found there buried behind the high altar of the church of St. Catherine.  To make this as little miraculous as possible, we are told by some historians that it was common for knights to be buried with their arms, and that Jeanne, in her visit to this church, where she heard three masses in succession to make up for the absence of constant religious services on her journey—­had probably seen some tomb or other token that such an interment had taken place.  However, as we are compelled to receive the far greater miracle of Jeanne herself and her work, without explanation, it is foolish to take the trouble to attempt any explanation of so small a matter as this.  The sword in fact was found, by the clergy of the church, and was by them cleaned and polished and put in a scabbard of crimson velvet, scattered over with fleur-de-lys in gold, for her use.  Her standard, which she considered of the greatest importance was made apparently at Tours.  It was of white linen, fringed with silk and embroidered with a figure of the Saviour holding a globe in His hands, while an angel knelt at either side in adoration.  Jhesus’ Maria was inscribed at the foot.  A repetition of this banner, which must have been re-copied from age to age is to be seen now at Tours.  Having indicated the exact device to be emblazoned upon the banner, as dictated to her by her saints,—­Margaret and Catherine—­Jeanne announced her intention of carrying it herself, a somewhat surprising office