t of February, Cauchon
took his seat as presiding judge for the trial about to commence.
Beneath him were ranged forty-three assessors--there were ninety-five
assessors in all who took part in the trial. On the public days their
numbers varied from between forty to sixty.

The prisoner was led into the chapel by the priest Massieu. Cauchon
opened the proceedings with the following harangue:--

'This woman,' he said, pointing to Joan of Arc, 'this woman has been
seized and apprehended some time back, in the territory of our diocese
of Beauvais. Numerous acts injurious to the orthodox faith have been
committed by her, not merely in our diocese, but in many other
regions. The public voice which accuses her of such crimes has become
known throughout Christendom, and quite recently the high and very
Christian Prince, our lord the King, has delivered her up and given
her in our custody in order that a trial in the cause of religion
shall be made, as it seemeth right and proper. For as much in the eyes
of public opinion, and owing to certain matters which have come to our
knowledge'--(Cauchon here refers to the information that he sought to
obtain from Domremy: as nothing could be learnt there but what
redounded to Joan of Arc's credit, no further use was made of the
information by the Bishop)--'we have, with the assistance of learned
doctors in religious and civil law, called you together in order to
examine the said Joan, in order that she be examined on matters
relating to faith. Therefore,' he continued, 'we desire in this trial
that you fill the duty of your office for the preservation and
exaltation of the Catholic faith; and, with the Divine assistance of
our Lord, we call upon you to expedite these proceedings for the
welfare of your consciences, that you speak the plain and honest
truth, without subterfuge or concealment, on all questions that will
be made you touching the faith. And in the first place we call upon
you to take the oath in the form prescribed. Swear, the hands placed
on the Gospels, that you will answer the truth in the questions that
will be asked you.'

The latter words the Bishop had addressed to Joan; who answered that
she knew not on what Cauchon would question her. 'Perhaps,' she said,
'you will ask me things about which I cannot answer you.'

'Will you swear,' said Cauchon, 'to tell the truth respecting the
things which will be asked you concerning the faith, and of which you
are cognisant?