TO THE ENGLISH EDITION Scholars have been good enough to notice this book; and the majority have treated it very kindly, doubtless because they have perceived that the author has observed all the established rules of historical research and accuracy.

Their kindness has touched me.

I am especially grateful to MM.

Gabriel Monod, Solomon Reinach and Germain Lefevre-Pontalis, who have discovered in this work certain errors, which will not be found in the present edition.
My English critics have a special claim to my gratitude.

To the memory of Joan of Arc they consecrate a pious zeal which is almost an expiatory worship.