# III: Weaving the Net About Her explained — Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc

> Chapter companion for Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc by Mark Twain.

## What happens

Louis de Conte becomes a clerk to Manchon, the recorder for Joan's upcoming trial, and describes the corrupt preparations by Pierre Cauchon. Cauchon packs the court with English sympathizers, suppresses favorable evidence, denies Joan counsel, and uses the treacherous Nicolas Loyseleur to extract her secrets under the guise of confession. Joan remains defiant in her iron cage, despite visits from her captors.

## Themes in this chapter

### Injustice and Corruption of Power

Cauchon rigs the court, suppresses exculpatory evidence, and uses a false confessor to destroy Joan.

### Betrayal and Martyrdom

Joan is betrayed by Loyseleur's feigned friendship and by de Luxembourg's empty offer of release, foreshadowing her martyrdom.

### Courage and Resilience

Despite chains and isolation, Joan defiantly rebukes her captors and prophesies England's failure.

## Character check-ins

### Louis de Conte

Narrator and clerk to Manchon, recounts the events leading to the trial.

### Manchon

Chief recorder of the trial, friendly to Joan, employs Louis de Conte.

### Pierre Cauchon

Bishop of Beauvais, orchestrates the trial, suppresses evidence, and uses Loyseleur to spy on Joan.

### Joan of Arc

Imprisoned in an iron cage, chained, defiantly refuses offers of release and is betrayed by Loyseleur.

### Nicolas Loyseleur

Sent by the University of Paris, pretends to be a patriot and priest to extract Joan's confession secrets.

### Earl of Warwick

Visits Joan in her cage, restrains Stafford from stabbing her, and plans her judicial murder.

## Key lines

> Name of God, you but mock me. I know that you have neither the power nor the will to do it.

Joan scoffs at de Luxembourg's offer of freedom, asserting he is insincere and powerless.

_Shows Joan's defiance and clear-eyed view of her captors' intentions._

> See these! They know more than you, and can prophesy better. I know that the English are going to kill me, for they think that when I am dead they can get the Kingdom of France. It is not so.

Joan raises her chained hands, declaring that her chains foretell England's ultimate failure to conquer France.

_Highlights Joan's prophetic confidence and the theme of martyrdom._

> She opened her whole innocent heart to this creature, and in return he gave her advice concerning her trial which could have destroyed her if her deep native wisdom had not protected her against following it.

Joan confided in Loyseleur, who gave her dangerous advice, but her innate wisdom saved her from ruin.

_Illustrates the treachery of Loyseleur and Joan's resilience._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters/iii-weaving-the-net-about-her
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- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters