On the Wednesday after Trinity Sunday in 1431, being then about
nineteen years of age, the Maid of Arc underwent her martyrdom. She was
conducted before mid-day, guarded by eight hundred spearmen, to a
platform of prodigious height, constructed of wooden billets supported
by occasional walls of lath and plaster, and traversed by hollow spaces
in every direction for the creation of air currents. The pile "struck
terror," says M. Michelet, "by its height"; and, as usual, the English
purpose in this is viewed as one of pure malignity. But there are two
ways of explaining all that. It is probable that the purpose was
merciful. On the circumstances of the execution I shall not linger.
Yet, to mark the almost fatal felicity of M. Michelet in finding out
whatever may injure the English name, at a moment when every reader
will be interested in Joanna's personal appearance, it is really
edifying to notice the ingenuity by which he draws into light from a
dark corner a very unjust account of it, and neglects, though lying
upon the highroad, a very pleasing one. Both are from English pens.
Grafton, a chronicler, but little read, being a stiff-necked John Bull,
thought fit to say that no wonder Joanna should be a virgin, since her
"foule face" was a satisfactory solution of that particular merit.
Holinshead, on the other hand, a chronicler somewhat later, every way
more important, and at one time universally read, has given a very
pleasing testimony to the interesting character of Joanna's person and
engaging manners.
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