.]

[Footnote 2558: Chapter xii, 26 (W.S.).]

[Footnote 2559: _Trial_, vol. iii, p. 194.]

Then my Lord of Beauvais, in his own name and that of the
Vice-Inquisitor, pronounced the sentence.

He declared Jeanne to be a relapsed heretic.

"We declare that thou, Jeanne, art a corrupt member, and in order that
thou mayest not infect the other members, we are resolved to sever
thee from the unity of the Church, to tear thee from its body, and to
deliver thee to the secular power. And we reject thee, we tear thee
out, we abandon thee, beseeching this same secular power, that
touching death and the mutilation of the limbs, it may be pleased to
moderate its sentence...."[2560]

[Footnote 2560: _Ibid._, p. 159.]

By this formula, the ecclesiastical judge withdrew from any share in
the violent death of a fellow creature: _Ecclesia abhorret a
sanguine_.[2561] But every one knew how much such an entreaty was
worth; and all were aware that if the impossible had happened and the
magistrate had granted it, he would have been subject to the same
penalties as the heretic. Things had now come to such a pass that had
the city of Rouen belonged to King Charles, he himself could not have
saved the Maid from the stake.

[Footnote 2561: L. Tanon, _Histoire des tribunaux de l'inquisition_, p.
374.]

When the sentence was announced Jeanne breathed heart-rending sighs.
Weeping bitterly, she fell on her knees, commended her soul to God, to
Our Lady, to the blessed saints of Paradise, many of whom she
mentioned by name. Very humbly did she ask for mercy from all manner
of folk, of whatsoever rank or condition, of her own party and of the
enemy's, entreating them to forgive the wrong she had done them and to
pray for her. She asked pardon of her judges, of the English, of King
Henry, of the English princes of the realm. Addressing all the priests
there present she besought each one to say a mass for the salvation of
her soul.[2562]

[Footnote 2562: _Trial_, vol. ii, p. 19; vol. iii, p. 177.]

Thus for one half hour did she continue with sighs and tears to give
expression to the sentiments of humiliation and contrition with which
the clerics had inspired her.[2563]

[Footnote 2563: _Ibid._, vol. ii, pp. 19, 351.]

And even now she did not neglect to defend the honour of the fair
Dauphin, whom she had so greatly loved.

She was heard to say: "It was never my King who induced me to do
anything I have done, either good or evil."[256