On first thoughts one might be inclined to attribute to the priests the idea of a summons, which is a literal application of the precepts of Deuteronomy: "When thou comest nigh unto a city to fight against it, then proclaim peace unto it.
"And it shall be, if it make thee answer of peace, and open unto thee, then it shall be, that all the people that is found therein shall be tributaries unto thee, and they shall serve thee.
"And if it will make no peace with thee, but will make war against thee, then thou shalt besiege it: "And when the Lord thy God hath delivered it into thine hands, thou shalt smite every male thereof with the edge of the sword: "But the women, and the little ones, and the cattle, and all that is in the city, even all the spoil thereof, shalt thou take unto thyself." (Deuteronomy xx, 10-14.) But at least it is certain that on this occasion the Maid is expressing her own sentiments.

Afterwards we shall find her saying: "I asked for peace, and when I was refused I was ready to fight."[889] But, as she dictated the letter and was unable to read it, we may ask whether the clerks who held the pen did not add to it.
[Footnote 889: _Trial_, vol.i, pp.

55, 84, 240.] Two or three passages suggest the ecclesiastical touch.

Afterwards the Maid did not remember having dictated "body for body," which is quite unimportant.

But she declared that she had not said: "I am chief in war" and that she had dictated: "Surrender to the King" and not "Surrender to the Maid."[890] Possibly her memory failed her; it was not always faithful.