# We Win, but the King Balks explained — Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc

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

## What happens

After a tremendous day of excitement and fatigue, Joan dictates a summons to the Duke of Burgundy late into the night, urging peace or a crusade against the Saracens. The next morning, she bids farewell to her father and uncle, who ride home with the news of tax remission. The army advances, but the King, influenced by Tremouille, delays and prays at St. Marcoul, wasting precious time that Bedford uses to regroup. Joan argues and implores, but the King balks, hindering the campaign against Paris.

## Themes in this chapter

### Faith and Divine Mission

Joan's summons to the Duke of Burgundy reflects her divine mission, urging peace or a crusade against the Saracens, and her unwavering commitment to God's will.

### Courage and Resilience

Joan's relentless drive to advance on Paris despite the King's hesitation and political obstacles demonstrates her courage and resilience.

### Injustice and Corruption of Power

Tremouille's manipulation of the King and the resulting lost time highlight the corruption and self-interest that undermine Joan's righteous cause.

## Character check-ins

### Joan of Arc

Dictates a summons to the Duke of Burgundy, bids farewell to her father and uncle, and argues with the King to advance on Paris.

### Louis de Conte

Serves as Joan's scribe, taking dictation for the summons, and later delivers Joan's message to her father and the Paladin.

### The Paladin

Entertains the peasants with a dramatic and exaggerated account of the Battle of Patay, claiming to have captured Talbot and Fastolfe.

### Laxart

Joan's uncle, who rides home with Jacques d'Arc after receiving gifts and the news of tax remission, admiring the Paladin's storytelling.

### Noël Rainguesson

Teases the Paladin about his reputation, prompting a typical quarrel.

### Jacques d'Arc

Joan's father, who receives gifts and rides home with Laxart to spread the news of tax remission.

### Charles VII

The King, who balks at advancing on Paris, delays at St. Marcoul, and is influenced by Tremouille's counsel.

### De la Tremouille

Works slyly with the vacillating King to delay the campaign, causing lost time.

## Key lines

> Pardonnez-vous l’un à l’autre de bon coeur, entièrement, ainsi que doivent faire loyaux chrétiens, et, s’il vous plait de guerroyer, allez contre les Sarrasins.

Forgive one another wholeheartedly and completely, as loyal Christians should, and if you wish to make war, go fight the Saracens.

_Joan's summons to the Duke of Burgundy, urging peace or a crusade._

> I saw my opportunity in an instant—in the next I was away! Through the woods I vanished—fst!—like an extinguished light!

I saw my chance immediately and disappeared into the woods as quickly as a light being snuffed out.

_The Paladin's dramatic account of his maneuver at Patay._

## Links

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