She inspired the whole army
with courage and faith as she talked about her visions.
When she arrived at the besieged city of Orleans she fearlessly
rode round its walls, while the English soldiers looked on in
astonishment. She was able to enter Orleans, despite the efforts
of the besiegers to prevent her.
She aroused the city by her cheerful, confident words and then led
her soldiers forth to give battle to the English. Their success
was amazing. One after another the English forts were taken.
When only the strongest remained and Joan was leading the attacking
force, she received a slight wound and was carried out of the
battle to be attended by a surgeon. Her soldiers began to retreat.
"Wait," she commanded, "eat and drink and rest; for as soon as I
recover I will touch the walls with my banner and you shall enter
the fort." In a few minutes she mounted her horse again and riding
rapidly up to the fort, touched it with her banner. Her soldier
almost instantly carried it. The very next day the enemy's troops
were forced to withdraw from before the city and the siege was at
end.
The French soldiers were jubilant at the victory and called Joan
the "Maid of Orleans.
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