The city's
herald set out forthwith. On the morrow they sent word to their good
friends of Chalons and of Laon, how they had heard that King Charles
was wending towards Orleans and Bourges, and how they had sent him a
message.[1612]

[Footnote 1612: Jean Chartier, _Chronique_, vol. i, p. 98. Varin,
_Archives legislatives de la ville de Reims_, Statuts, vol. i (annot.
according to doc. no. xxi), p. 741. H. Jadart, _Jeanne d'Arc a Reims_,
original doc. no. 19, p. 118.]

On the 5th of August, while the King is still at Provins[1613] or in the
neighbourhood, Jeanne addresses to the townsfolk of Reims a letter
dated from the camp, on the road to Paris. Herein she promises not to
desert her friends faithful and beloved. She appears to have no
suspicion of the projected retreat on the Loire. Wherefore it is clear
that the magistrates of Reims have not written to her and that she is
not admitted to the royal counsels. She has been instructed, however,
that the King has concluded a fifteen days' truce with the Duke of
Burgundy, and thereof she informs the citizens of Reims. This truce is
displeasing to her; and she doubts whether she will observe it. If she
does observe it, it will be solely on account of the King's honour;
and even then she must be persuaded that there is no trickery in it.
She will therefore keep the royal army together and in readiness to
march at the end of the fifteen days. She closes her letter with a
recommendation to the townsfolk to keep good guard and to send her
word if they have need of her.

[Footnote 1613: Perceval de Cagny, p. 160.]

Here is the letter:

"Good friends and beloved, ye good and loyal French of the
city of Rains, Jehanne the Maid lets you wit of her tidings
and prays and requires you not to doubt the good cause she
maintains for the Blood Royal; and I promise and assure you
that I will never forsake you as long as I shall live. It is
true that the King has made truce with the Duke of Burgundy
for the space of fifteen days, by which he is to surrender
peaceably the city of Paris at the end of fifteen days.
Notwithstanding, marvel ye not if I do not straightway enter
into it, for truces thus made are not pleasing unto me, and
I know not whether I shall keep them; but if I keep them it
will be solely to maintain the King's honour; and further
they shall not ensnare the Royal Blood, for I will keep and
maintain