A MONK OF FIFE
A Romance of the Days of Jeanne D'Arc - Joan of Arc
by Andrew Lang
APPENDIX A
NORMAN'S MIRACLE
(See "Livre des Miracles de Madame Sainte Katherine de Fierboys.
MSS. Bib. Nat. 7335, fol. lxxxiv.)
Le xvi jour du moys de janvier, l'an mil cccc. xxx., vint en la
chapelle de ceans Norman Leslie de Pytquhoulle, escoth, escuyer de
la compagnie de Hugues Cande, capitaine. {40} Lequel dist et
afferma par serment estre vray le miracle cy apres declaire. C'est
assavoir que le dit Leslie fut prins des Anglois e Paris le jour de
la Nativite de Nostre Dame de l'an dernier passe. Lequel Norman
Leslie avoit entre dans la ville de Paris avec c. Escossoys en
guise d'Angloys, lesqueuls Escossoys furent prins des Angloys, et
ledit Norman fut mis en fers et en ceps. Et estoit l'intention de
ceux qui l'avoient pris de le faire lendemain ardre, parce qu'il
portoit robe de femme par maniere de ruse de guerre.
Si s'avint que ledit Norman se voua e Madame Sainte Katherine, qu'il
luy pleust prier Dieu qu'il le voulsist delivrer de la prison ou il
estoit; et incontinent qu'il pourroit estre dehors, il yroit mercier
Madame Sainte Katherine en sa chapelle de Fierboys. Et incontinent
son veu fait si s'en dormit, et au reveiller trouva en la tour
avecques luy un Singe, qui lui apporta deux files, et un petit
cousteau. Ainsi il trouva maniere de se deferrer, et adoncques s'en
sortit de la prison emportant avecques luy le singe. Si se laissoit
cheoir a val en priant Madame Sainte Katherine et chut a bas, et
oncques ne se fist mal, et se rendit e Saint Denys ou il trouvoit
des compagnons Escossoys.
Et ainsy ledit Norman Leslie s'en est venu audit lieu de Fierboys,
tout sain et sauf, emportant avecques luy ledit singe, qui est beste
estrange et fol de son corps. Et a jure ledit Norman ce estre vray
par la foy et serment de son corps.
Presens messire Richart Kyrthrizian, frere Giles Lacourt, prestres
gouverneurs de la dite chapelle, et messire Hauves Polnoire, peintre
du Roy, et plusieurs aultres.
APPENDIX B
ELLIOT'S RING
The Ring of the Maid, inscribed with the Holy Names, is often
referred to in her Trial ("Proces," i. 86, 103, 185, 236, 238), and
is mentioned by Bower, the contemporary Scottish chronicler
("Proces," iv. 480), whose work was continued in the "Liber
Pluscardensis." We have also, in the text, Norman's statement that
a copy of this ring was presented by the Maid to Elliot Hume.
While correcting the proof-sheets of this Chronicle, the Translator
received from Mr. George Black, Assistant Keeper of the National
Museum of Antiquities in Edinburgh, a copy of his essay on "Scottish
Charms and Amulets" ("Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of
Scotland," May 8, 1893, p. 488). There, to his astonishment, the
Translator read: "The formula MARI. IHS. occurs on two finger-rings
of silver-gilt, one of which was found at Pluscarden, Elginshire,
and the other in an old graveyard near Fintray House,
Aberdeenshire." Have we in the Pluscarden ring a relic of the Monk
of Pluscarden, the companion of Jeanne d'Arc, the author of "Liber
Pluscardensis"?
Footnotes:
{1} Several copies of this book, the Liber Pluscardensis, are
extant, but the author's original MS. is lost.
{2} This was written after the Act of the Scots Parliament of 1457.
{3} Daggers.
{4} Rude wall surrounding a keep.
{5} Sisters in the rule of St. Francis.
{6} These tricks of sleight-of-hand are attributed by Jean Nider,
in his "Formicarium," to the false Jeanne d'Arc.--A. L.
{7} Very intimate.
{8} When the sky falls and smothers the larks,
{9} This quotation makes it certain that Scott's ballad of Harlaw,
in "The Antiquary," is, at least in part, derived from tradition
{10} This description confirms that of the contemporary town-clerk
of La Rochelle.
{11} The staircase still exists.
{12} "My neck would learn the weight of my more solid proportions."
{13} Neck.
{14} "Frightened by a ghost."
{15} "Airt," i.e. "quarter."
{16} "Fright for fright."
{17} Lameter, a lame.
{18} Bor-brief, certificate of gentle birth.
{19} Howlet, a young owl; a proverb for voracity.
{20} Battle-axe.
{21} Bougran, lustrous white linen.
{22} There are some slight variations, as is natural, in the
Fierbois record.
{23} Equipped for battle.
{24} That is, in the "Liber Pluscardensis."
{25} Englishman.
{26} Heavy and still.
{27} Daughter of God, go on, and I will be thine aid. Go on!
{28} Lyrat, grey.
{29} The king's evil: "ecrouelles," scrofula.
{30} Darg, day's work.
{31} "Par mon martin," the oath which she permitted to La Hire.
{32} See Appendix A, 'Norman's Miracle,' Appendix B, 'Elliot's
Ring.'
{33} That in to say, some two thousand combatants.
{34} Echevins--magistrates.
{35} "Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas."
{36} Pavises--large portable shelters.
{37} Block-houses.
{38} The Grahames had not yet possessed themselves of Netherby.--A.
L.
{39} "Substituting 'or' for 'argent,' his bearings were those of
the distinguished modern novelist of the same name.--A. L.
{40} Cande
Kennedy.
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