Letter from Perceval de Boulainvilliers about Joan of Arc, June 1429

Dated June 21, 1429

Sources

• Procès de condamnation et de réhabilitation de Jeanne d'Arc, dite la Pucelle, Vol.5 / par Jules Quicherat... | Gallica; pp. 115-121

• Bibliothèque de l'École des Chartes | 1916 | Gallica

Letter from Perceval de Boulainvilliers in original Latin from Quicherat

From Quicherat, Vol. V, pp. 115-121

Transcription by hand and Chat GPT OCR cleanup

Illustrissimo et magnifico principi domino Joanni Angelo Mariae, duci Mediolanensi, domino meo honorando. Illustrissime et magnifice princeps et domine mi honorandissime, mortalium cura et praecipue studiosi excelentesque animi nova et alias inusitata scire desiderant, inveterataque quasi diu degustata fastidiunt. Hinc est, magnifice princeps, quod, attentis vestrae serenitatis laudibus, praeconiis et vestrorum desideriorum mirandorum investigatione et conatibus, praesumpsi vobis significare qualia et quanta regi nostro Franciae regnoque suo noviter contigerunt. Jam, ut reor, auribus vestris insonuit fama cujusdam Puellae, nobis, ut pie creditur, divinitus missae; cujus ut vitam, actus, statum moresque paucis attingam, ipsius ortus narrabo principia.

Nata est in uno parvo villagio nominato Donremy, in ballivia Bassigniaca, infra et in finibus regni Franciae, super fluvium de Meuse, quae jungit Lotharingiam; justis et simplicibus parentibus noscitur progenita. In nocte Epiphaniarum Domini, qua gentes jucundius solent actus Christi reminisci, hanc intrat mortalium lucem, et (mirum) omnes plebeii loci illius inestimabili commoventur gaudio, et, ignari nativitatis Puellae, hinc inde discurrunt, investigantes quid novi contigisset. Nonnullorum corda novum consenserant gaudium. Quid plura? galli, velut novae laetitiae praecones, praeter solitum in inaniti sonum prorumpunt, et alis corpora tangentes, fere per duas horas novae rei praenosticare videntur eventum.

Alitur infans, quae ut crevisset et annos attigisset septenos, agricolarum gentium more, agnorum custodiae a parentibus deputatur; in qua nec ovicula noscitur deperisse, nec quicquam a fera exstitit devoratum; et quando affuit in paterna domo, omnes familiares tanta securitate protexit ut nec hostis, fraus barbarorum vel malitia in minimo contingerent. Tandem, peractis aetatis suae duodecim annis, prima sibi revelatio facta est in hunc modum: Ipsa cum puellis custodientibus oves parentum suorum, quaedam vagabantur in prato. A circumstantibus accessitur; utrum pro florum pugillo aut pro aliquo tali cursitare vellet, interrogant. Annuit illa et, sponsione facta, tanta celeritate secundo et tertio incursu movebatur, quod minime eam terram calcare credebant; adeo ut una puellarum exclamaret: “Johanna (sic est nomen ejus), video te volantem juxta terram.” Quae cum cursum peregisset et in fine prati quasi rapta et a sensibus alienata, spiritus resumendo, corpus pausaret fatigatum, juxta eam affuit quidam juvenis, qui eam sic est allocutus: “Johanna, domum pete; nam mater dixit se opera tua indigere.” Et credens quod frater esset aut aliquis convicinorum puerorum, festinans domum venit. Mater obviat, quae causam adventus aut derelictarum ovium quaerit et increpat. Et respondens innocens Puella ait: “Numquid pro me mandasti?” Cui mater: “Non.” Tunc credens se esse de puero delusam, volens ad sodales reverti, subito ante ipsius oculos nubes praelucida objicitur, et de nube facta est vox ad eam dicens: “Johanna, oportet te aliam vitam agere et mirandos actus exercere; nam tu illa es quam elegit Regis coeli ad regni Francorum reparationem et Karoli regis expulsi a dominio suo auxilium et protectionem. Tu virili indueris veste; arma sumens caput eris guerra; omnia tuo consilio reguntur.” Hac autem facta voce, disparuit nubes, et Puella, tanti prodigii stupefacta, dictis nec pro primo fidem adhibens, sed manens perplexa, utrum credere deberet an non, innocens ignorat. Diebus noctibusque consimiles apparitiones dictae Puellae fiunt et vicibus repetitis renovantur. Tacet illa; nulli, nisi soli curato presbytero, animum detexit, et in hac perplexitate fere quinque annorum perseverat spatio. Tandem comite Salesberiensi ex Anglia in Franciam appellente, praemissae apparitiones et revelationes dictae Puellae ultra solitum renovantur et multiplicantur. Concutitur juvenculae animus, mens anxietate aestuat, et quodam die, dum contemplaretur in agro, insolita apparitio grandior et clarior quam unquam vidisset ei visa fuit, et facta est ad eam vox dicens: “Usquequo tardas? Quare non festinas? Aut cur non pergis cito, qua Rex coeli te destinavit? Nam in absentia tua destruitur Francia, devastantur oppida, justi obeunt, proceres occiduntur, inclytus sanguis funditur.” Et illa, aliquantisper animata, curato suo monita, respondit: “Quid faciam aut quomodo faciam? Ibo? Non novi viam, gentem nescio, regem non cognosco; mihi non credent; cunctis ero in derisum et merito. Quid stultius quam magnatibus dicere quod puella Franciam reparet, regat exercitus, de hoste triumphum reportet? Quid ludibrius quam quod puella virili induatur veste?” Quumque haec et plura alia disseruisset, responsum sic accepit: “Rex coeli ordinat et vult; ne amplius quaeras quomodo haec fient: quoniam sicut voluntas Dei est in coelo, sic erit et in terra. Perge hic prope jacentem villam, nominatam Vaucolores, quae sola in Campaniae partibus regi fidem servat, et villae illius custos nulla impedimento te ducet quo petes.”

Sic egit, et multis praestentis mirandis, jussit eam nobilibus associatam per vias conduci ad regem. Qui venientes, per medios hostes transierunt, nulla repulsa interjecta. Et quum usque pervenissent ad castrum de Caynono in Turonensibus partibus, quo se rex muniebat, consilio regio deliberatum erat quod faciem regis non videret neque ei praesentaretur usque in diem tertiam. Sed hominum corda subito mutantur. Accersitur Puella. Mox et de equo descendit, et per archiepiscopos, episcopos, abbates et utriusque facultatis doctores diligenter examinatur in fide et moribus. Demum rex eam ad suum parlamentum ducit ut strictius et vigilantius adhuc quaestionaretur. Et in his omnibus reperta est fidelis catholica, bene sentiens in fide, sacramentis et institutis Ecclesiae. Amplitius per mulieres doctas, peritas virgines, viduas et conjugatas curiosissime percunctatur atque naturam decet sentientem.

Praeterea adhuc spatio sex septimanarum custoditur, si saltem aut aliqua levitas vel mutatio ab incoepto concipiatur. Sed immobilis, Deo serviendo, missam audiendo, Eucharistiam percipiendo, prima proposita continuat; regem omni die lacrimosis suspiriis efflagitat ut licentiam invadendi hostes det aut domum patern am repetendi. Et difficulter licentia obtenta, cum victualibus conducendis Aurelianum intrat. Cito post castra obsidentium invadit, quae licet inexpugnabilia judicarentur, tamen in trium dierum spatio ipsa devicit. Hostes non pauci occiduntur, plures capiuntur, reliqua pars fugatur. Nunc civitas ab obsidione liberatur. Quibus actis, ad regem revertitur. Rex ei obviam properat, jucunde suscipit, et aliquanto temporis intervallo cum rege manet; festinat, sollicitat, ut expeditiones evocet, congreget acies ad reliquam partem adversariorum devincendam. Et redintegrato exercitu, villam quae vocatur Jargeullum obsidet; in crastinum conflictum dat; vi capitur, sexcentis bellatoribus nobilibus ibi victis, inter quos comes Suffordiae, Anglicus, frater germanus capiuntur, reliquus vero frater occiditur.

Post tamen trium dierum interjecto spatio, Magnodunum super Ligerim et Baugencium, oppida fortia et munita, invadit, expugnat et devincit. Nec moram ponit, et die illa sabbati quae xx. erat junii, exercitui Anglicorum ad succursum properanti occurrit. Invaduntur hostes; victoria nostri potiuntur, interfectis mille quingentis viris bellatoribus, mille captivatis, inter quos quidam capitanei capti sunt, scilicet domini de Taleboth et de Fastechat, et filius domini de Hendesfort, et quamplures alii. De nostris autem non reperti tres occisi. Quae omnia miraculo divinitus facto attribuimus. Haec et multa alia Puella operata est et, Deo largiente, majora horum faciet.

Haec Puella competentis est elegantiae, virilem sibi vindicat gestum, paucum loquitur, miram prudentiam demonstrat in dictis et dicendis. Vocem mulieris ad instar habet gracilem, parce comedit, parcius vinum sumit; in equo et armorum pulchritudine complacet; armatos viros et nobiles multum diligit; frequentiam et collocutionem multorum fastidit; abundantia lacrimarum manat; hilarem gerit vultum; inaudibilis laboris et in armorum portatione et sustentatione adeo fortis, ut per sex dies die noctuque indesinenter et complete maneat armata.

Dicit Anglicos nullum habere jus in Francia, et dicit se missam a Deo ut illos inde expellat et devincat, monitione tamen ipsius facta. Regem summe veneratur. Ipsum dicit esse dilectum a Deo et specialiter praeservatum et praeservandum. Dominum ducem Aurelianensem, nepotem vestrum, dixit miraculose liberandum, monitione tamen prius super sua libertate Anglicis detinentibus facta. Et ut, illustrissime princeps, finem faciam verbis, mirabiliora sunt et fiunt quam vobis possem scribere aut lingua fari.

Ultra scribendo praesentet evenit quod praefata Puella jam perrexit ad partes civitatis Remis in Campania, ubi rex festinanter tendit ad consecrationem et coronationem suam, Deo juvante. Me vobis humiliter recommendo. Scriptum die xxi. junii, anno Domini MCCCCXXIX. Vester humillimus servitor, Percevallio, dominus de Bolanvilliers, consiliarius et camerarius regis Francorum et domini ducis Bituricensis senescalcus.

Letter from Perceval de Boulainvilliers: English translation from Latin

translation by ChatGPT

To the most illustrious and magnificent prince, Lord John Angelo Maria, Duke of Milan, my honored lord.

Most illustrious and magnificent prince and most honored lord, the concern of mortals, and especially of those with a studious and excellent spirit, is to learn new and previously unheard-of things, and they grow weary of things old and, as it were, long lasted. Therefore, most magnificent prince, because of the praises of your serenity, the commendations, and the admirable investigation and efforts of your desires, I have presumed to inform you of what things and how great things have recently happened to our king of France and to his kingdom.

Already, as I suppose, the fame of a certain Maiden, sent to us—so it is piously believed—by divine power, has sounded in your ears. In order that I may briefly touch upon her life, deeds, condition, and character, I will relate the beginnings of her origin.

She was born in a small village called Domremy, in the bailiwick of Bassigny, within and on the borders of the kingdom of France, upon the river Meuse, which joins Lorraine; she is known to have been born of just and simple parents.

On the night of the Epiphany of the Lord, on which people are accustomed more joyfully to recall the deeds of Christ, she came into the light of the living, and—marvelous to say—all the common people of that place were moved with inestimable joy, and, ignorant of the Maiden’s birth, they ran here and there, searching to discover what new thing had happened. The hearts of several accepted a new joy. What more? The cocks, as heralds of the new gladness, burst out beyond their usual manner into loud crowing, and, flapping their wings, seemed for almost two hours to foretell the outcome of this new event.

The child was brought up, and when she had grown and reached seven years of age, she was assigned by her parents, according to the custom of agricultural people, to the tending of lambs; in which task no little sheep is known to have perished, nor did any creature of the wild devour anything; and when she was present in her father’s house, she protected all the household with such security that neither enemy, nor deceit of barbarians, nor malice happened in the least.

At length, when twelve years of her age had been completed, her first revelation took place in this manner: she, with girls who were guarding the sheep of their parents, were wandering in a meadow. From those standing nearby she was approached; they asked whether she wished to run for a handful of flowers or for some such thing. She agreed, and, a wager having been made, she moved with such speed in the second and third run that they believed she hardly touched the ground; so much so that one of the girls cried out: “Joan (for that is her name), I see you flying close to the ground.”

When she had completed the run and, at the end of the meadow, as though snatched away and alienated from her senses, paused to recover her breath, a certain youth stood near her and addressed her thus: “Joan, go home; for your mother has said that she needs your work.” And believing that he was her brother or one of the neighboring boys, she hurried home.

Her mother met her, asked the reason for her coming or the neglect of the sheep, and scolded her. And the innocent Maiden answered: “Did you send for me?” To whom the mother said: “No.” Then, believing herself mocked by the boy, and wishing to return to her companions, suddenly before her eyes a shining cloud appeared, and from the cloud a voice was made to her, saying: “Joan, you must live a different life and perform marvelous deeds; for you are the one whom the King of Heaven has chosen for the restoration of the kingdom of France and for the help and protection of King Charles, driven from his domain. You will put on male clothing; taking up arms, you will be the leader of war; all things will be directed by your counsel.”

When this voice had been given, the cloud vanished, and the Maiden, astonished at so great a wonder, did not at first give belief to the words, but remained perplexed, not knowing whether she ought to believe or not in her innocence.

Day and night similar apparitions came to the Maiden, and, repeated in turns, were renewed. She was silent; she revealed her mind to no one except the parish priest alone, and in this perplexity she persevered for nearly five years.

Finally, when the Earl of Salisbury was coming from England into France, the aforesaid apparitions and revelations of the Maiden were renewed and multiplied beyond the usual measure. The mind of the young girl was shaken, her spirit boiled with anxiety, and one day, while she was contemplating in the field, an unusual apparition, greater and clearer than she had ever seen, appeared to her, and a voice was made to her, saying: “How long do you delay? Why do you not hasten? Or why do you not go quickly to the place to which the King of Heaven has destined you? For in your absence France is being destroyed, towns are being devastated, the righteous are dying, nobles are being slain, renowned blood is being shed.”

And she, somewhat encouraged and instructed by her priest, replied: “What shall I do or how shall I do it? Shall I go? I do not know the way, I do not know the people, I do not know the king; they will not believe me; I shall be a mockery to all, and deservedly. What is more foolish than to say to great men that a girl will restore France, will rule armies, will win victory over the enemy? What is more laughable than that a girl should wear male clothing?”

And when she had discussed these and many other things, she received this answer: “The King of Heaven ordains and wills; do not ask further how these things will happen: for just as the will of God is in heaven, so it will be on earth. Go to the nearby town called Vaucouleurs, which alone in the regions of Champagne keeps faith with the king, and the commander of that town will lead you, with no hindrance, to where you seek.”

She did so, and after many astonishing signs had been shown, she was ordered to be escorted by nobles along the roads to the king. Those who accompanied her passed through the midst of the enemy with no resistance placed in their way.

And when they had reached the castle of Chinon in the region of Touraine, where the king had fortified himself, it had been decided by royal counsel that she should not see the king’s face nor be presented to him until the third day. But the hearts of men suddenly changed.

The Maiden is summoned. At once she dismounted from her horse, and through archbishops, bishops, abbots, and doctors of both faculties she was carefully examined in faith and morals. Finally the king led her into his council so that she might be questioned still more strictly and vigilantly. And in all these matters she was found to be a faithful Catholic, thinking rightly concerning the faith, the sacraments, and the institutions of the Church. She was further questioned very carefully by learned women—experienced virgins, widows, and married women—who judged her nature fitting.

Furthermore, for a space of six weeks she was still kept under observation, to see whether any slight levity or change might arise from her purpose. But unmoving, serving God, hearing Mass, receiving the Eucharist, she continued in her first resolve; every day she begged the king with tearful sighs that he would grant permission either to attack the enemy or to return to her father’s house.

And with difficulty obtaining permission, she entered Orléans with supplies being brought in. Soon afterward she attacked the camps of the besiegers, which, although they were judged to be impregnable, nevertheless she conquered them in a space of three days. Not a few of the enemy were killed, more were captured, the remaining part fled. Now the city is freed from the siege.

When these things had been done, she returned to the king. The king went to meet her, welcomed her gladly, and after staying for some time with the king, she pressed and urged him to call out troops, gather forces, and defeat the remaining part of the adversaries. And when the army had been restored, she besieged the town which is called Jargeau; on the next day she gave battle; it was taken by force, six hundred noble warriors being defeated there, among whom the Earl of Suffolk, an Englishman, and his brother were captured, while the other brother was killed.

After, however, an interval of three days, she attacked, took by storm, and conquered Meung on the Loire and Beaugency, strong and fortified towns. Nor did she delay, and on that Saturday, which was the twentieth of June, she met the English army hastening to their aid.

The enemy are attacked; our forces gain the victory, with fifteen hundred fighting men killed, a thousand taken captive, among whom certain captains were captured, namely the lord of Talbot, and of Fastolf, and the son of the lord of Hungerford, and many others. Of our men, however, only three were found killed. All these things we attribute to a miracle divinely performed. These and many other things the Maiden has accomplished, and, God granting, she will do greater things than these.

This Maiden is of considerable beauty, and her bearing is vigorous, speaks little, shows remarkable prudence in the things she says and in the things she intends to say. She has a woman’s voice, slender in tone; she eats sparingly, takes wine more sparingly; she delights in riding and in the beauty of arms; she greatly loves armed men and nobles; she dislikes crowds and the conversation of many people; she overflows with abundant tears; she bears a cheerful countenance; she is of such endurance of labor, and so strong in bearing and wearing arms, that for six days and nights she remains continuously and completely armed.

She says that the English have no right in France, and she says that she has been sent by God to drive them out and conquer them, with a warning first given by her. She reveres the king most highly. She says that he is beloved by God and specially preserved and to be preserved.

She said that the Duke of Orléans, your nephew, will be miraculously freed, with a warning, however, first given to the English who hold him concerning his liberty.

And so that I may bring my words to an end, most illustrious prince, things more wonderful are and are happening than I could write to you or express with the tongue.

While I am writing further, it happens that the aforesaid Maiden has already gone toward the parts of the city of Reims in Champagne, where the king hastens for his consecration and coronation, with God helping.

I humbly commend myself to you.

Written on the twenty-first day of June, in the year of the Lord 1429.

Your most humble servant, Percevallio, lord of Bolanvilliers, counselor and chamberlain of the king of the French and seneschal of the lord duke of Berry.

Letter from Perceval de Boulainvilliers: extracts in French

From La Letter de Perceval de Boulainvilliers, Bibliothèque de l'École des Chartes | 1916 | Gallica)

Cette Pucelle est d'une suffisante beauté, elle a le geste volontiers viril. Elle parle peu et montre une merveilleuse prudence dans ses paroles dites ou à dire. Sa voix, comme celle des femmes, est grêle. Elle mange peu et use de vin moins encore. Elle se complaît à cheval et sous une belle armure. Elle aime beaucoup les hommes d'armes et les gentilshommes. Elle répugne à la présence et à l'entretien d'une grande assemblée. Elle répand d'abondantes larmes, mais son visage respire la gaieté. Son labeur est inouï. Elle montre une telle vigueur dans le port et le support des armes qu'elle reste continuellement et entièrement armée, six jours durant, jour et nuit.