At this letter they mocked, swearing that they would burn her heralds who carried the message.

But the King had named her chief of war, and given her a household, with a good esquire, Jean d'Aulon, to govern it, and all that beseems noble or royal blood.

New armour had been made for her, all of steel and silver, and there was talk of a sword that she had come by in no common way, but through revelation of the saints.

For she being in Tours had it revealed to her that a certain ancient sword, with five crosses on the blade, lay buried behind the altar of St.Catherine of Fierbois.

An armourer of Tours was therefore sent thither, and after much labour and search they of St.Catherine's Church found that sword, very ancient, and much bestained with rust.