THE TENOR OF THE KING'S LETTERS CONCERNING THE SURRENDER OF THE PUCELLE TO THE

BISHOP OF BEAUVAIS
Henry, by the grace of God, King of France and England, to all those who shall see these present letters, Greeting.
It is sufficiently notorious and well-known that for some time past a woman calling herself Jeanne the Pucelle,
leaving off the dress and clothing of the feminine sex, a thing contrary to divine law and abominable before God,
and forbidden by all laws, wore clothing and armour such as is worn by men; has caused and occasioned cruel
murders; and, so it is said, has seduced and abused simple people by giving them to understand that she was sent
from God, and had knowledge of His holy secrets; together with other very dangerous teaching, scandalous and
prejudicial to the Catholic Faith; and while pursuing these abuses and showing enmity towards Us and Our people,
was taken in arms before Compigne by one of Our loyal subjects, and has subsequently been brought as a prisoner
before Us. And since she has on many occasions been reputed, suspected and charged with superstition, false
dogma, and other crimes of lse-majest towards God, We have been urgently requested by the reverend Father in
God, Our beloved and loyal Counsellor the Bishop of Beauvais, ecclesiastical judge and Ordinary of the said Jeanne,
since she was taken prisoner within the boundaries and limits of his diocese; and have similarly been requested by
Our most dearly beloved daughter the University of Paris, that We should cause the said Jeanne to be handed over
and delivered to the said reverend Father in God, that he might question and examine her in this matter, and proceed
further against her according to the regulations and ordinances of holy canon law, calling together for this purpose
those who should be called.
Wherefore, for the reverence and honour of God's Name, and for the defence and upholding of Holy Church and the
Catholic Faith, and devoutly desiring as a true and humble Child of Holy Church, to agree to the requests of the said
reverend Father in God and to the desire of the doctors and masters of Our said daughter the University of Paris, We
do command and consent that as often as shall seem good to the reverend Father in God, the said Jeanne shall in
truth and deed be handed over and delivered to him by Our officers and guards, that he may question and examine
her, and that she may be tried by him according to God's [laws], right, and the holy canons.
Wherefore We do command Our officers and others, who are charged with her safe keeping, that they shall in deed
and truth hand her over to the said Father in God, without refusal or contradiction, as often as he shall require. We
do also command all Our magistrates, officers and subjects, both French and English, not to occasion any hindrance
or difficulty either in fact or otherwise, either to the said reverend father in God or to any others who may be ordered
to assist, take part in or hear the said trial; but if they be so requested by the said reverend Father in God, they shall
give them protection, aid, defence, guard and comfort, under pain of severe punishment.
Nevertheless it is Our intention to bring back before Us the said Jeanne, if it should not be that she is convicted or
found guilty of the said crimes or any of them, or of other crimes touching our Faith.
In witness whereof We have had affixed to these presents Our prescribed Seal, in the absence of the Great [Seal].
Given at Rouen, the third day of January, in the year of grace MCCCCXXX and of Our Reign the IXth.
Signed: By the King, in His Great Council

J. de Rinel